Regional Environmental Planning Program

Partnership Projects funded through NH Department of Environmental Services

 Innovative Land Use Techniques

A Handbook for Sustainable Development

The State?s nine Regional Planning Commissions in conjunction with the NH Department of Environmental Services, experts and stakeholders together have been working on the development of an Innovative Land Use Guide that will serve as a toolkit for municipal officials concerned with managing sustainable growth in their communities.  The tools in the first volume have been broken down into three broad categories: Multi Density Zoning, Environmental Characteristics Zoning and Site Level Design.

It is anticipated that the guide, which will include a second volume focusing on Water Resource management will be ready for release in the Fall of 2007.  The Planning Commission through the leadership of its Natural Resource Advisory Committee intends to schedule public workshops in conjunction with the release of the Guide.  In the meantime, the following chapters in their final draft form are available here:

Conservation Subdivision

Energy Efficient Development

Feature Based Density

Habitat Protection

Inclusionary Housing

Lot Size Averaging

Steep Slopes

Stormwater Management

Village Format 

For more information and assistance contact Commission staff.