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SWRPC |
March 2008 |
| Commission Highlights |
Vol. 14 - No. 3 |
Commission Offices Undergo a Facelift
If you've visited the Planning Commission's office in recent weeks, you probably noticed that the space has been re-arranged. Following a change in ownership of the building we occupy, some re-configuration of the second floor offices have taken place. We are essentially in the same location but were required to consolidate to some extent. Next time you're in the neighborhood, feel free to stop by and see our new digs.
Application Period for Safe Routes to School Funding is Open
Communities interested in promoting and enabling safe walking and bicycling to school are invited to submit applications for the Round 2 cycle of reimbursement funding under Safe Routes to School (SRTS) through the Department of Transportation (DOT). Communities may apply for startup funding of up to $5,000 to form a task force, prepare a plan, and initiate related evaluation, education, encouragement and enforcement activities. Larger awards, up to $15,000 per school, are available for schools wanting to develop a more comprehensive travel plan. Grants of up to $100,000 are also available for community infrastructure needs. The application deadline for SRTS Round 2 reimbursement funding is 4:00 p.m. on Monday, May 12, 2008. Please note that the application process requires a submission to SWRPC as well as DOT. Application materials are available at http://www.nh.gov/dot/bureaus/planning/SRTS_home.htm. Look for the yellow text box on the home page. They are also available by contacting the DOT Safe Routes to School Coordinator, John Corrigan at (603) 271-1980. For more information about the SRTS program or for technical assistance in putting applications together, please contact J. B. Mack of Commission staff.
Wind Energy, Land Use
Is your town talking about wind turbines on residential properties? Do you want to get your town talking about it? Then you should attend the "Wind Turbines: Siting Considerations" session at the 15th Annual Spring Planning and Zoning Conference. Jack Ruderman, NH OEP, Eric Steltzer, Rockingham Planning Commission and Mark Weissflog, KW Management, Inc. will co-present on the subject, using a model wind siting ordinance as a basis. The discussion will cover issues ranging from the height of structures to the expected noise level from turbines as well as other concerns that have arisen as towns across the state have begun to discuss these very issues. The conference will take place on Saturday, April 26, 2008 at The Center of New Hampshire in Manchester. To learn about other featured topics or to register for the conference, please visit: www.nh.gov/oep.
Town of Winchester Selected for Plan NH Charrette
The Town of Winchester was recently selected as a recipient of a charrette through Plan NH. The process is typically a two day event where volunteer planning, architectural and development professionals engage local citizens in generating and documenting ideas for development. Selection of the Winchester application by Plan NH represents great timing as this was one of the strategies identified by a local master planning committee. The Planning Commission is providing staff support to this committee which has a focus on downtown revitalization. Accordingly, the charrette will focus on downtown development with an additional focus on adaptive re-use of the former AC Lawrence Tannery property. As of this writing, the dates for the charrette have yet to be scheduled. For more information, please contact Becky Baldwin of Commission staff.
Town of Nelson; Apple Hill Center for Chamber Music
The Governor and Executive Council have approved a $120,000 Community Development Block Grant for the Town of Nelson to support expansion of the facilities at the Apple Hill Center for Chamber Music. This effort will ultimately help the Center to serve the public in a year round capacity and will create six new jobs. The funding application was developed by Commission staff in cooperation with the Town of Nelson. The application review and recommendation was provided by the NH Community Development Finance Authority. For more information, please contact Matthew Suchodolski of Commission staff.
Monadnock Earth Festival
Several events have been scheduled for the City of Keene in celebration of Earth Week, April 19-25, 2008. Activities will begin with the Monadnock Earth Festival on the 19th that will include guest speakers, artwork, music, workshops on "primitive skills" and an Earth Day Fair. The festival will take place at Railroad Square and numerous locations throughout downtown Keene. Additional events have been scheduled during the course of the week. For more information, please contact Tim Garceau of Commission staff or Christina Oliva, Earth Day Coordinator 2008 at Antioch University at 603-847-9639 or christina_oliva@antiochne.edu.
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Southwest Region Planning Commission
20 Central Square, 2nd Floor, Keene, NH 03431
Ph: (603) 357-0557, Fax: (603) 357-7440
General E-mail: admin@swrpc.org
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