The Hampton School District has one uncontested open position for School District Clerk, and three people running for two positions as School Board members.  You also have the option to write-in a candidate for any position.

The Winnacunnet School District has one uncontested open position for School Board Member, and one uncontested open position for School Budget Committee.  You also have the option to write-in a candidate for any position.

Are you in favor of the adoption of Amendment No.1 as proposed by the Planning Board for the Hampton Zoning Ordinance as follows?

Amend Article I – General Section 1.6 Definitions to add a definition for “Demolition”.

Amend Article I – Districts. New Section 1.8 to establish a demolition review procedure which includes the following: a purpose statement; review thresholds that are triggered where a building was constructed more than one hundred (100) years before the date of application for was constructed more than one hundred (100) years before the date of application for a demolition permit (per Assessor records), or is listed in the National or State Register of Historic Places, with an exemption provided for manufactured homes; a review process which involves the applicant meeting with the Building Inspector and the Town Planner to review the proposed demolition and discuss potential alternatives to demolition prior to the issuance of a demolition permit; the opportunity for the Hampton Historical Society or its designee to photographically document a subject building prior to demolition, encouraging the applicant to salvage significant architectural features, and to state that nothing in the Article shall be construed to prevent immediate demolition where public safety is at stake. A statement of authority relating to a Historic District Commission and/or a Heritage Commission, if established, is also included.

What it means: This warrant article amends the definition of “Demolition” and establishes a new demolition review procedure. The new procedure applies only to requests for demolition of structures that are more than 100 years old before the date of the demolition application, and/or are listed in the National or State Register of Historic Places. The new procedure adds a meeting with the Building Inspector and Town Planner to ensure that alternatives to demolition are discussed and considered. It also provides for the Hampton Historical Society (or its designee) to be able to photographically document the structure prior to demolition to ensure that a record of that structure will exist. The applicant will also be encouraged to salvage significant architectural features. If there is a public safety concern, the structure may be demolished immediately.

Those in favor say:When a structure is important to our heritage, this Warrant Article allows us to “push the pause button” to make sure that all avenues have been explored to preserve our history.

Those against say: No one spoke against this Article at the Deliberative Session.

Fiscal impact: No tax impact.

Are you in favor of the adoption of Amendment No. 2 as proposed by the Planning Board for the Hampton Zoning Ordinance as follows?

Amend  Wetland Conservation District Ordinance Section 2.3.4 -Use Restrictions and  Prohibited Uses to add a new Section “H” titled “Construction Standards for the Tidal Wetland Conservation District” that will require all new construction and substantial improvement projects within the Tidal Wetland Conservation District  to comply with FEMA’s Guidelines that the Town has adopted for the VE Special Flood Hazard Area (Section  2.4.11-C Coastal High Hazard Areas (Zone VE)- Construction Standards). The construction work shall have no adverse impacts on adjacent properties.

What It Means: This warrant article amends Wetlands Conservation District ordinance section 2.3.4. It requires that newly constructed structures or those that are substantially improved in the Tidal Wetlands Conservation District conform to FEMA’s guidelines that the Town previously adopted for the VE Special Flood Hazard zone. Those guidelines provide for the first floor of the structure to be at least one foot above Base Flood Elevation, and that the space below the first floor be open and covered only with lattice work, open fencing, or break-away walls such that water in storm events can flow freely beneath the structure. If this Article were to be defeated, no additional guidelines would be put in place.

Those in favor say: The additional guidelines will help reduce the potential for flood-related damage in areas that are prone to flooding.  It will also reduce the cost of insurance premiums for homeowners.

Those against say: One person spoke against this Article and stated that NO additional building should occur in the Wetlands Conservation District. While this Article provides guidelines to assure more flood-appropriate construction, those against say that there should be no new construction at all.  (Note: Whether the Article passes or fails does not change whether people can build in the Wetlands Conservation District, only that if they do they must follow FEMA guidelines for special flood hazard zones.)

 Fiscal impact: No tax impact.

Are you in favor of the adoption of Amendment No.3 as proposed by the Planning Board for the Hampton Zoning Ordinance as follows?

Amend Article II – Districts. Wetlands Conservation District Ordinance Section 2.3.7 Special Provisions C, C-1 and C-2 such that the calculation of the minimum lot area and lot area per dwelling unit for newly created 1ots and lots increasing the number of dwelling units, is based on 100% of the required minimum lot area and minimum lot area per dwelling unit in the underlying zoning district is located outside the Wetlands Conservation District.

This Amendment also includes adding a footnote to Article IV – Dimensional Requirements, Section 4.1- “Minimum Lot Area” and Section 4.1.1 – “Minimum Lot Area per Dwelling Unit” referencing Section 2.3.7 C, and adding a reference to Section 2.3.7 C under Article I -General, Section 1.6 Definition of “Lot Area” to reflect said change.

What It Means: Any newly created lots or any development affecting the number of dwelling units per lot, must use 100% of the lot size requirements in the underlying zoning district.  The calculations for minimum requirements may not include Wetlands or Buffers.

 Those In favor Say: This article corrects a situation where Wetlands acreage was used as part of minimum lot size requirements.

 Those against say: One person spoke against this Article and stated that NO additional building should occur in the Wetlands Conservation District, thus the calculation change is unnecessary. (ITKH Note: Whether the Article passes or fails does not change whether building can occur in the Wetlands District.)

Fiscal impact: No tax impact.

Are you in favor of the adoption of Amendment No. 4 as proposed by the Planning Board for the Hampton Zoning Ordinance as follows?

Amend Article II – Districts. Floodplain Management Ordinance Section 2.4.9 Structure Requirements- #1 Elevation Requirements to allow a property owner to elevate their structure an additional 1 or 2 feet beyond the required 1 foot above base flood elevation. Also, to adjust the maximum height requirement provided in Article IV – Dimensional Requirements (Section 4.4) to less than or equal to the selected amount above base flood elevation. The maximum height shall not exceed a total of 3 feet.

What it means: If a property owner wishes to raise a structure an additional 1 or 2 feet above the required base flood elevation, this Article will allow them up to 2 feet above the maximum height restriction – without seeking a variance for that height difference. A height variance would not be required if the added height of the structure is no more than 3 feet.

Those in favor say: Homes in the Floodplain area need the additional height to be able to protect their properties and reduce the cost of flood insurance. This Article will allow them to raise their homes for up to 2 additional feet without getting a variance.  This will enable people to make structures already in the Wetlands Conservation District more resilient.

Those against say:One person spoke against this warrant article, and is opposed to any construction of any type in the Wetlands Conservation District, even to elevate existing structures. (ITKH Note: Whether this Article passes or fails will not affect the ability to construct or renovate a home in the Wetlands Conservation District.)

Fiscal impact: No tax impact.

Are you in favor of the adoption of Amendment No. 5 as proposed by the Planning Board for the Hampton Zoning Ordinance as follows?

Amend Article II – Districts. Section 2.5.4 – Use Regulations (Aquifer Protection District Ordinance) as follows: To delete the requirement for a written statement prepared by a qualified Professional Engineer from Subsection F – Conditional Uses, whereas applicants are already required to submit written findings of fact verifying all 7 protective measures listed in the Ordinance prior to the Planning Board granting a Conditional Use Permit in this District.

What it means: This warrant article Amends Article II – Districts, Section 2.5.4 – Use Regulations (Aquifer Protection District Ordinance) to simply the process of seeking a Conditional Use Permit by eliminating a duplicate submission requirement. A written statement prepared by a qualified Professional Engineer is being eliminated because written findings of fact verifying all seven protective measures listed in the Ordinance are already required and should cover that Engineer’s statement.

Those in favor say: This is a “housekeeping” Article.

Those against say: No one spoke against this Article at the Deliberative Session.

Fiscal impact: No tax impact.

Are you in favor of the adoption of Amendment No.6 as proposed by the Planning Board for the Hampton Zoning Ordinance as follows?

Amend Article III-A – Accessory Dwelling Units to Single-Family Dwellings. Section 3-A11. Removal of an Accessory Dwelling Unit as follows: To specify the existing requirement for the recording of a Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions at the Rockingham County Registry of Deeds only applies to lots located in the RA or RAA zoning district.

What it means:This warrant article specifies the recording requirements at the Rockingham County Registry of Deeds for the removal of an Accessory Dwelling Unit to a Single-Family Dwelling in the RA and RAA zoning districts.

Those in favor say: This is a “housekeeping” Article, as we get more comfortable with the things people wish to do with regard to ADU’s.

Those against say: No one spoke against this Article at the Deliberative Session.

Fiscal impact: No tax impact.