RESULTS – 2020 ZONING AMENDMENTS BALLOT
[NOTE: New language is shown as bold italic; language to be deleted is shown as a strikethrough.]
Are you in favor of the adoption of Amendment #1as proposed by the Planning Board for the Harrisville Zoning Ordinance to amend the definition of Dwelling in Article XXVI as follows?
DWELLING: A building designed or used as the living quarters for one or more families, A single unit providing complete independent living facilities, including provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking and sanitation.” The terms “dwelling”, “one-family dwelling”, “multiple-family dwelling”, “two-family dwelling” or “dwelling group” shall not be deemed to include automobile court, rooming house, tourist home or hotel. For the purposes of this ordinance, “cooking” means to have the ability to heat, cook, and refrigerate food, with a sink and water supply separate from a bathroom.
Explanation: The purpose of this amendment is to make the Town’s definition consistent with the State Building Code definition; and to further clarify what constitutes “cooking” in order to provide better guidance for zoning administration and enforcement.
215 YES 19 NO
Are you in favor of the adoption of Amendment #2as proposed by the Planning Board for the Harrisville Zoning Ordinance to amend the definitions of Structures in Article XXVI as follows?
STRUCTURE, PERMANENT: Anything constructed or erected, whether permanent or temporary,with a fixed location on the ground, or attached to something having a fixed location on the ground, including television antennae, docks, and patios, but not including paving, fences, retaining walls, signs, flag poles or mailboxes.
STRUCTURE, TEMPORARY: A structure without any foundation or footings and which is removed when the designated time period, activity, or use for which the temporary structure was erected has ceased; this includes but is not limited to tents and portable garages.
Explanation: The purpose of this amendment is to better distinguish between permanent and temporary structures in order to provide clarity for those things that require a building permit and/or are subject to setbacks and impervious cover limitations, and those that are not.
208 YES 28 NO
Are you in favor of the adoption of Amendment #3as proposed by the Planning Board for the Harrisville Zoning Ordinance to amend the definition of Signs in Article XXVI by deleting the exemption for civic, charitable, religious or patriotic organizations, as follows?
SIGN: Any device for visual communication that is used for the purpose of bringing the subject thereof to the attention of the public, but not including any flag, badge, or insignia of any government or government agency. or of any civic, charitable, religious, patriotic or similar organization.
Explanation: The purpose of this amendment is to make the definition consistent with the proposed changes in Article XVII – Signs.
200 YES 21 NO
Are you in favor of the adoption of Amendment #4as proposed by the Planning Board for the Harrisville Zoning Ordinance to amend the definition of Impervious Cover in Article XXVI as follows?
IMPERVIOUS COVER: Any modified surface that cannot effectively absorb or infiltrate water. Examples of impervious surfaces include, but are not limited to permanent or temporary structures, roofs, decks, patios, and paved, gravel or crushed stone driveways, parking areas, and walkways. unless designed to effectively absorb or filter water.
Explanation: The purpose of this amendment is to align the definition of Impervious Cover with the proposed changes in Section 4.1.14 for allowable impervious cover on a lot.
186 YES 35 NO
Are you in favor of the adoption of Amendment #5as proposed by the Planning Board for the Harrisville Zoning Ordinance to amend Section 4.1.14, Impervious Cover as follows?
4.1.14. In no case shall any parcel or lot have an impervious cover of more than twenty (20)thirty (30) per cent of the lot area. The total shall include the structural footprint, impervious roadway or any other impervious cover.
Explanation: The purpose of this amendment is to increase the allowable amount of impervious cover on a lot, consistent with state regulations.
168 YES 42 NO
Are you in favor of the adoption of Amendment #6as proposed by the Planning Board for the Harrisville Zoning Ordinance to delete section 20.1.3 regarding special exception approval for wireless communication facilities, in order to be consistent with the new Article XIX?
Explanation: Article XIX was completely rewritten and adopted at 2019 Town Meeting, making this section no longer necessary or applicable.
184 YES 15 NO
Are you in favor of the adoption of Amendment #7as proposed by the Planning Board for the Harrisville Zoning Ordinance to remove all references in Article XXIX to revise the Purpose Statement, as follows and to delete all references to “existing” single-family homes, in order to be consistent with state law?
29.2. PURPOSE: In accordance with NH RSA 674:21, to expand the mix of affordable housing opportunities throughout the Town by permitting the creation of asecondary dwelling residence as an accessory use to existinga single-family detached dwelling. Primary reasons for the permitting of ADU’s within the town are spelled out in the Master Plan and include, but are not limited to: discouraging sprawl; creating housing opportunities to meet the needs of a diverse population; and facilitating the social and economic benefits that derive from a housing stock that meets the needs of all its residents.
Explanation: The purpose statement has been summarized by making reference to the Master Plan, with the intention of making this ordinance easier for the Planning Board to interpret. In addition, allowing ADU’s only on existing homes is in conflict with state law.
185 YES 27 NO
Are you in favor of the adoption of Amendment #8as proposed by the Planning Board for the Harrisville Zoning Ordinance to amend Article XVII – Signs, by adding a Purpose Statement, making a number of changes to the section, renumbering the sections accordingly, and deleting all references to “advertising” related to signs elsewhere in the Zoning Ordinance?
Explanation: The purpose of this amendment is to bring the article into compliance with case law on signs, better distinguish between lit signs, and reorganize some sections without changing the content.
184 YES 21 NO
Are you in favor of the adoption of Amendment #9as proposed by the Planning Board for the Harrisville Zoning Ordinance to add a new section addressing solar energy systems?
Explanation: The purpose of this amendment is to encourage energy-efficient patterns of development and to decrease dependence on fossil fuels by accommodating solar energy systems in appropriate locations while protecting the public health, safety and welfare. Consideration of the town’s scenic views, historic properties, and rural character will be taken into consideration to minimize potential impacts.
193 YES 19 NO
Are you in favor of the adoption of Amendment #1as proposed by the Planning Board for the Harrisville Zoning Ordinance to amend the definition of Dwelling in Article XXVI as follows?
DWELLING: A building designed or used as the living quarters for one or more families, A single unit providing complete independent living facilities, including provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking and sanitation.” The terms “dwelling”, “one-family dwelling”, “multiple-family dwelling”, “two-family dwelling” or “dwelling group” shall not be deemed to include automobile court, rooming house, tourist home or hotel. For the purposes of this ordinance, “cooking” means to have the ability to heat, cook, and refrigerate food, with a sink and water supply separate from a bathroom.
Explanation: The purpose of this amendment is to make the Town’s definition consistent with the State Building Code definition; and to further clarify what constitutes “cooking” in order to provide better guidance for zoning administration and enforcement.
215 YES 19 NO
Are you in favor of the adoption of Amendment #2as proposed by the Planning Board for the Harrisville Zoning Ordinance to amend the definitions of Structures in Article XXVI as follows?
STRUCTURE, PERMANENT: Anything constructed or erected, whether permanent or temporary,with a fixed location on the ground, or attached to something having a fixed location on the ground, including television antennae, docks, and patios, but not including paving, fences, retaining walls, signs, flag poles or mailboxes.
STRUCTURE, TEMPORARY: A structure without any foundation or footings and which is removed when the designated time period, activity, or use for which the temporary structure was erected has ceased; this includes but is not limited to tents and portable garages.
Explanation: The purpose of this amendment is to better distinguish between permanent and temporary structures in order to provide clarity for those things that require a building permit and/or are subject to setbacks and impervious cover limitations, and those that are not.
208 YES 28 NO
Are you in favor of the adoption of Amendment #3as proposed by the Planning Board for the Harrisville Zoning Ordinance to amend the definition of Signs in Article XXVI by deleting the exemption for civic, charitable, religious or patriotic organizations, as follows?
SIGN: Any device for visual communication that is used for the purpose of bringing the subject thereof to the attention of the public, but not including any flag, badge, or insignia of any government or government agency. or of any civic, charitable, religious, patriotic or similar organization.
Explanation: The purpose of this amendment is to make the definition consistent with the proposed changes in Article XVII – Signs.
200 YES 21 NO
Are you in favor of the adoption of Amendment #4as proposed by the Planning Board for the Harrisville Zoning Ordinance to amend the definition of Impervious Cover in Article XXVI as follows?
IMPERVIOUS COVER: Any modified surface that cannot effectively absorb or infiltrate water. Examples of impervious surfaces include, but are not limited to permanent or temporary structures, roofs, decks, patios, and paved, gravel or crushed stone driveways, parking areas, and walkways. unless designed to effectively absorb or filter water.
Explanation: The purpose of this amendment is to align the definition of Impervious Cover with the proposed changes in Section 4.1.14 for allowable impervious cover on a lot.
186 YES 35 NO
Are you in favor of the adoption of Amendment #5as proposed by the Planning Board for the Harrisville Zoning Ordinance to amend Section 4.1.14, Impervious Cover as follows?
4.1.14. In no case shall any parcel or lot have an impervious cover of more than twenty (20)thirty (30) per cent of the lot area. The total shall include the structural footprint, impervious roadway or any other impervious cover.
Explanation: The purpose of this amendment is to increase the allowable amount of impervious cover on a lot, consistent with state regulations.
168 YES 42 NO
Are you in favor of the adoption of Amendment #6as proposed by the Planning Board for the Harrisville Zoning Ordinance to delete section 20.1.3 regarding special exception approval for wireless communication facilities, in order to be consistent with the new Article XIX?
Explanation: Article XIX was completely rewritten and adopted at 2019 Town Meeting, making this section no longer necessary or applicable.
184 YES 15 NO
Are you in favor of the adoption of Amendment #7as proposed by the Planning Board for the Harrisville Zoning Ordinance to remove all references in Article XXIX to revise the Purpose Statement, as follows and to delete all references to “existing” single-family homes, in order to be consistent with state law?
29.2. PURPOSE: In accordance with NH RSA 674:21, to expand the mix of affordable housing opportunities throughout the Town by permitting the creation of asecondary dwelling residence as an accessory use to existinga single-family detached dwelling. Primary reasons for the permitting of ADU’s within the town are spelled out in the Master Plan and include, but are not limited to: discouraging sprawl; creating housing opportunities to meet the needs of a diverse population; and facilitating the social and economic benefits that derive from a housing stock that meets the needs of all its residents.
Explanation: The purpose statement has been summarized by making reference to the Master Plan, with the intention of making this ordinance easier for the Planning Board to interpret. In addition, allowing ADU’s only on existing homes is in conflict with state law.
185 YES 27 NO
Are you in favor of the adoption of Amendment #8as proposed by the Planning Board for the Harrisville Zoning Ordinance to amend Article XVII – Signs, by adding a Purpose Statement, making a number of changes to the section, renumbering the sections accordingly, and deleting all references to “advertising” related to signs elsewhere in the Zoning Ordinance?
Explanation: The purpose of this amendment is to bring the article into compliance with case law on signs, better distinguish between lit signs, and reorganize some sections without changing the content.
184 YES 21 NO
Are you in favor of the adoption of Amendment #9as proposed by the Planning Board for the Harrisville Zoning Ordinance to add a new section addressing solar energy systems?
Explanation: The purpose of this amendment is to encourage energy-efficient patterns of development and to decrease dependence on fossil fuels by accommodating solar energy systems in appropriate locations while protecting the public health, safety and welfare. Consideration of the town’s scenic views, historic properties, and rural character will be taken into consideration to minimize potential impacts.
193 YES 19 NO