Jim Avallon

I emailed the letter below to each of the members of the House Housing Committee. Dear House Housing Committee, SB84, SB163, SB281 and SB282 are among the many House and Senate bills this session that slowly chip away at local control of zoning and planning. I urge you to oppose these bills that are part of the fundamental shift of control away from municipal authorities (AND VOTERS) to the central state. One size fits all is not a good policy, especially in NH with its varied communities. My Town of North Hampton with its seasonal tourism and ocean has different priorities and needs than a town like Candia or a city like Manchester. Of particular concern is SB84 which mandates zoning ordinances to allow smaller lot sizes for all single-family homes, overriding current zoning regulations. Admittedly, from an outsider's consideration some NH Towns require excessive lot sizes. However, that is just it, from an outsider's perspective; an outsider who doesn't have an inkling of what it is like to live in your community, what makes the community tick or what the Town voters want or need. Lot sizes are a very sensitive issues for a Town and is one of the main parameters that define its character. SB84 would be the start of State control and forever alter the maintaining or fulfillment of the vision the citizenry has for their Town. The changes that SB84 and many of these Housing bills mandate can and SHOULD be done at the local level with the input and vote of the citizenry...through the warrant process for example. Statewide dictates marginalize the vote of every single citizen of a Town. Why should I even bother voting for a Planning Board candidate when I know his or her decision is going to be mitigated or mandated by Concord. Please oppose SB84, SB163, SB281 and SB282. Preserve local control. Thank you! Regards, Jim Avallon North Hampton