The Temple Planning Board has been awarded a $55,744 grant to put toward updating town planning documents to address the ongoing housing needs of New Hampshire and the town.

The grant, available through InvestNH, provides funds to planning boards or groups to investigate planning and zoning solutions to the ongoing issue of housing.

“The two objectives are basically to clean up our zoning and to engage citizens in the planning process for the future of Temple. We plan to update the master plan, taking into consideration recent census data and community input, and do a full review of our zoning ordinance, site plan regulations and subdivision regulations,” said Planning Chair Christine Robidoux.

According to Temple’s grant application, Temple has seen a widening age gap in its population in recent years. Between 2000 and 2017, the median age of town residents increased from 37 years old to 50 years old. The percent of residents under the age of 18 dropped from about 30 percent of the population in 2000 to about 19 percent in 2017.

Attracting a younger population is a goal the revamping of the ordinance and master plan is seeking to achieve, according to the application.

“Considerations need to be made to provide opportunities for the younger, entry-level workers so thy can live in Temple. Likewise, options need to be available for the senior population to age in place,” the application reads. “There is a low rate of housing turnover, so there is not much of a housing stock to choose from, and the rental market is very small and rentals are rarely vacant. Housing options that blend into the current character of the town should be explored.”

Some key areas identified by the town’s application include the the change of use rules, accessory dwelling units and rules around home based businesses, including child care and daycare facilities. The town is also seeking to make regulations more user-friendly and encourage affordable housing development without compromising the overall goals of the town’s master plan.

Additionally, Robidoux said the town has regulations on the books that are outdated, with the last regulatory audit having been completed in 2012, and some regulations are in conflict with state regulations. The review will bring some of those deficiencies to light for correction.

On Tuesday, the Planning Board met with planning consultants to consider taking on the project. Consultants will be used to help identify local needs and market analysis, update housing-related sections of the master plan, identify regulatory barriers to housing development and facilitate a community feedback process.

Ashley Saari can be reached at 603-924-7172 ext. 244 or asaari@ledgertranscript.com. She’s on Twitter @AshleySaariMLT.

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