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Article 4: Revised definition of the Highest Observable Tide Level

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. Section 2.3.2 Wetland Conservation District Ordinance to revise the definition and delineation for the Highest Observable Tide Line to be consistent with the NH Department of Environmental Services Wetland Bureau. This revision includes removing two outdated Appendices.

What It Means: This Article changes how the Highest Observable Tide Line (HOTL) is defined and delineated, and makes the definition consistent with the NH Dept. of Environmental Services. The previous definition was based on outdated manuals that are no longer relevant.

Article 5: Added Definition of Mitigation and Examples of Mitigation

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. Sections 2.3.2 and 2.3.7 Wetland Conservation District Ordinance to add language that defines and provides examples of wetland and buffer mitigation.

What it means: This Article adds a definition of “mitigation” to the appropriate sections of the Wetlands Ordinances where no such definition previously existed and provides mitigation examples.

Article 6: Floodplain Management Ordinance Consistent with FEMA Regulations

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 2.4 Floodplain Management Ordinance to add language under 2.4.11.C Coastal High Hazard Areas (Zone VE), Construction Standards (subsection 2.c) requiring that breakaway walls have flood openings that meet the existing criteria for enclosed areas below the lowest floor.

What it means:This Article adds language to the Floodplain Management Ordinance to make it consistent with current FEMA regulations for construction in the VE zone. The new language requires that breakaway walls have flood openings that meet the existing criteria for enclosed areas below the lowest floor.

Article 7: Clarification of Dimensional Requirements in the Business Seasonal District

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 IV – Dimensional Requirements. Section 4.4 to apply Footnotes 27A and 32 to the Business-Seasonal zoning district. Modify Footnote 27A to require that no architectural appurtenance shall extend to a point greater than 60 feet in height in the Business-Seasonal zoning district measured vertically from the established average grade plane, and to clarify that the existing 80-foot limit applies to the Business-Seasonal 1 zoning district. Modify Footnote 32 to require, as part of any permitting process for applicable structures on the easterly side of Ocean Boulevard, a shadow study from a qualified consultant for new structures exceeding 50 feet in height and for modifications to existing structures that would exceed 50 feet in height.

What it means:This Article specifies height requirements and allowances for architectural appurtenances in the Business-Seasonal Zone. It also requires a shadow study be conducted by a qualified consultant for new structures or modifications to existing structures on the east side of Ocean Boulevard that would exceed 50 ft. in height.

Article 8: Driveway Setbacks for Lots in Residence B Zoning District

Are you in favor of the adoption of Amendment No. 7 as proposed by the Planning Board for the Hampton Zoning Ordinance as follows?

Amend Article IV – Dimensional Requirements. Section 4.5.2 (Minimum Side Setback) and Footnote 16 to require a minimum of 12 feet on one side lot line in the Residence B zoning district,to provide for an adequate driveway on one side or the other of the lot. In these situations, the current requirement will remain unchanged for the opposite side lot line. Additionally, where the legally required parking is provided in front of the dwelling, underneath the dwelling, or by structural attachment to the dwelling, the shorter of the aforementioned setbacks shall apply to both sides of the lot. Further, pre-existing lots of record with less than 50 feet of frontage may have a side lot line setback opposite the driveway side that is reduced to not less than 4 feet to accommodate a dwelling unit and driveway on the lot.

What it means: Article 8 adds a footnote that further defines and specifies driveway setbacks for lots in the Residence B zoning district.

Article 9: Dimensional Requirements Regarding 12-foot setback in the Wetlands Conservation District

Are you in favor of the adoption of Amendment No. 8 as proposed by the Planning Board for the Hampton Zoning Ordinance as follows?

Amend Article II – Districts. Section 2.3.7(C)(4) to cross-reference a proposed amendment to Article IV, New Section 4.9.

Amend Article IV – Dimensional Requirements to add a New Section 4.9 which would include theexisting requirement in Section 2.3.7(C)(4) for a minimum of 12 feet separating a dwelling structure(s) including attached garages from the Wetlands Conservation District. The existing requirement applies to the RAA, RA, RB, RCS, G, and I zoning districts, and would not change under this amendment.

What it means:Article 9 adds a cross-reference to the existing requirement for a minimum 12 ft. setback separating a dwelling structure, including attached garages, from the Wetlands Conservation District.

Town Sponsored Articles 10-43

On the 2020 Warrant, Articles 10 through 43 have been sponsored by the Town.  They are a collaboration of the Department Heads, the Board of Selectmen and finally the Municipal Budget Committee.  They are listed below with their explanations.

Unassigned Fund Balance (UFB) Explained

Many of this year’s Articles are listed with costs, yet zero tax impact.  That’s usually because there is loan forgiveness, or a grant offset, or in many cases, it is because the cost will be drawn from the Unassigned Fund Balance. This brief explanation is drawn from the Town Finance Director’s discussion in the Annual Reort:

 In private industry, the Unassigned Fund Balance is referred to as “Retained Earnings” and is adjusted annually by the net income (income minus expenses).  Examples of items that contribute to the Unassigned Fund Balance are receipt of federal grants; expenditures lower than budgeted and appropriated; interest on deposits higher than anticipated; income from the Real Estate Trust higher than anticipated; etc.  The estimated 2019 Unassigned Fund Balance is $8.8 million. This is above the DRA 2019 suggested minimum balance level, and above the Municipal Association guidelines.  There are 11 Warrant Articles that will utilize these excess funds.  If all of these are approved, $1.3 million will be used from the fund, and that will still leave a balance higher than that recommended by either DRA or the Municipal Association.

Articles # 19, 22, 24, 31, 32, 33, 34, 36, 37, 38 and 39 are being offset by withdrawal from the Unassigned Fund Balance, and will have a “UFB” designation in the title of the discussions below.

Article 10: Planning Services for Revised Master Plan ($125,000)

Shall the Town of Hampton vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $125,000 for the purpose of contracting professional services for the completion of a comprehensive update of the Town of Hampton Master Plan. The purpose of a Master Plan is to guide the overall character, physical form, and development of a community and is required by law to be updated periodically. Hampton’s Master Plan has had only occasional updating since its inception in 1985. As Hampton is the most vulnerable Town in the Seacoast in several respects (such as flooding, potential impacts from sea level rise, drainage problems, etc.), it is essential to update our Master Plan in its entirety in order to meet more recent challenges and to better plan for the future. A professionally developed, forward-looking Master Plan is needed to preserve, protect, and enhance property values and the quality of life of Hampton residents, and to enable the Town to qualify for grants for projects that are otherwise financially beyond what the Town can afford.

The Master Plan update will be conducted with the assistance of qualified professional consultant(s), and will include a robust public participation process. The Town has already been successful in securing grant funding in the amount of $45,000 from other sources to accomplish specific parts of this project. The additional $125,000 must be raised and appropriated through this Article to provide for the concurrent completion of all Master Plan components, resulting in a Plan that is fully current, comprehensive, and user-friendly.

This shall be a non-lapsing appropriation per RSA 32:7, VI and shall not lapse until the purpose of this Article is completed or by December 31, 2023, whichever is sooner? (Majority vote required)

What it means: A Master Plan is a blueprint for the future.  How do you want your Town to look?  Do you want open spaces?  What types and how much development should be allowed?  It is a comprehensive, long range plan that will guide decisions over the next 10-20 years. This warrant article would fund a professional planning service to complete tasks associated with the update of the Town of Hampton Master Plan.

Those in favor say: A Master Plan is required by statute. Revisions to the plan are recommended every five to ten years. The current Master Plan was adopted in 1985, with some subsequent chapter amendments since that time.  It has been 35 years since the last comprehensive update.  Having a current Master Plan will allow the Town to be more competitive for grant funding, and will increase property values because the town will be able to evolve in the vision of the residents with funding from outside sources.

The process of establishing a revised Master Plan will encourage better relationships between the various departments.  It’s for the future, and it’s by the people – what do we want our community to look like? We need something to guide development. Many decisions are made with reference to a Master Plan, which was last updated when our population was about 8,000 people – roughly half what it is today.

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

Fiscal impact:  If Article 10 is approved, it will create an additional one-time tax cost of $13.20 for a Hampton home valued at $400,000.  Take your property value divided by 1000 times .033 to get your cost.

Article 11: Discontinue Board of Cemetery Trustees

“Shall we discontinue the Board of Cemetery Trustees by delegating their duties and responsibilities to the Town Manager?”

What it means: The duties of the Board of Cemetery Trustees would be transferred to the Town Manager.  The Cemetery Trustees, founded via a 1979 Special Town Meeting, currently manage the operation of the cemeteries, recommend items that require funding, and suggest funding mechanisms.  In 2016, the voters approved a Warrant Article that allowed funds for maintenance of the cemeteries to be withdrawn from both the principal and the interest of the Cemetery Maintenance Trust. Having done so, funding for required maintenance is more straight-forward, as long as the principal (currently more than $600,000) lasts.

Those in favor say: The type of maintenance work required for the cemetery often involves coordination with the Town.  By assigning these responsibilities to the Town Manager, duplication of effort is avoided.

Those opposed say: By definition, the Cemetery Board has a focus on the cemeteries, including physically walking them from time to time to learn what is needed. Some who were opposed to disbanding the Board worry that the focus will no longer be there, and the cemeteries will suffer.

Fiscal impact: No tax impact.