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 modify the definition of “Use Change” to clarify that use changes apply to proposed non-residential uses, to indicate that changes of building occupancy involving any use of a non-residential nature require Use Change Approval from the Planning Board (regardless of similarity or not to the former use) if located in the Town Center-Historic district and to state that any use which, in the opinion of the Building Inspector or the Town Planner, requires Planning Board approval in order to safeguard the health, welfare, convenience and safety of Hampton’s citizens and recreational guests shall require Use Change Approval.

Amend Article II – Districts. Section 2.8 F to delete Note #3 regarding the Use Change approval requirement for all non-residential changes of building occupancy in the Town Center-North and Town Center-South Districts.

What it means:  The requirement for Change of Use approval from the Planning Board for all changes of building occupancy of a non- residential nature (such as retail to retail) would no longer apply to the Town Center-North (TC-N) and Town Center- South (TC-S) districts. However, such approval would still be required in all zoning districts when a use is changed to a dissimilar non-residential use (such as retail to personal service establishment). Additionally, the definition of “Use Change” is amended to include the review protections that currently exist within the Site Plan Review Regulations.

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 Article I – General. Section 1.6 to add language that a deck is considered to be pervious if it is elevated at least 6 feet off the ground and permeable underneath.

Amend Article II – Districts. Sections 2.3.1, 2.3.2, and 2.3.3 by moving the description of 1st through 4th order streams to the Wetland Conservation District definition, replacing “inlandwetland” with “freshwater wetland”, removing the impervious coverage definition, and simplifying the “Permitted Uses” section to remove redundancies.  Add language that allows the Building Inspector to approve the replacement or repair of previously permitted fences, sheds, and decks that are maintaining the same square footage and not encroaching further into the Wetland Conservation District.

What It Means: This language specifies that decks are considered to be pervious if they are at least 6 ft. off the ground with permeable material underneath. It also simplifies the language and improves readability.   If this article passes, the Building Inspector will be able to approve the in-kind replacement of previously permitted fences, sheds and decks in the Wetlands Conservation District, simplifying the process of securing those approvals for these projects that have no new impacts.