< CLICK MENU TO SEE MORE! - ELECT KEN WELLS -
We often think of candidates as mere "politicians" who parrot a Party ideology and make vague campaign promises "to fight" to win our vote. However, once elected to the job, you want your Representative to be an effective thought-leader and policymaker. This requires a special set of analytical, problem-solving and persuasive communications skills. These skills are on full display in Ken Wells' powerful writing and speeches.
Scroll down for a comprehensive archive of Ken's thought-provoking
PUBLICATIONS AND HOUSE SPEECHES





Use the "Previous" and "Forward" buttons at the bottom of the page to see more content.
  • Home
  • About Ken
    • Compare Values
    • Contact Ken
    • Articles & Speeches
  • Donate
  • Property Taxes
  • Support Education
    • NH Forward
  • Health & Safety
    • Women's Rights & LGBTQ+
  • Environment & Economy
    • Environmental Action Plan 2020-2050

10/12/2021

Planning Board Proposes New Conservation Subdivision Ordinance

0 Comments

Read Now
 
Andover Planning Board proposes new Conservation Subdivision    Oct 12, 2021

Suppose that you are the owner of a hypothetical 20-acre parcel in rural Andover, and you wish to subdivide and develop that buildable parcel in a way that maximizes your financial return for housing development.

Today’s subdivision ordinance would tend to steer such a 20-acre landowner towards creating a “suburban” housing development of ten 2-acre lots. The Andover Master Plan points out that this kind of uniform-density development is not desirable from the viewpoint of preserving Andover’s appearance and character as a charming New England town. It is also true that this type of development can have negative consequences in terms of wildlife habitat, water quality, public services and maintenance costs, non-local energy and resource consumption, as well as impacting natural spaces for outdoor activities such as forestry, hunting and hiking, to name just a few.

Conservation Subdivisions offer an alternative way that a landowner/developer could realize an equally attractive financial return, but avoid the negative consequences of uniform-density “suburban” development. It also potentially lowers municipal expenses per residence (such as snow plowing) while strengthening the Town’s tax base and  encouraging types of high-quality housing development suitable for young families.

The hypothetical 20-acre parcel could be developed in a number of different ways, but here is one scenario that illustrates how Andover’s proposed Conservation Subdivision guidelines can increase the maximum development potential, while also safeguarding qualities of concern in the Master Plan.

To begin with, the 20-acre parcel would be subdivided in such a way that 12 acres will be placed under permanent protection, to preserve the most valuable natural environment, views, etc. If done correctly, this would increase the number of potential housing units to 11, situated on the remaining eight acres. One or two more housing units could be added upon review by the Planning Board, by meeting the new regulation’s standards for energy efficiency, locally-sourced natural materials & labor, enhancing public hiking trails, etc. 

The proposed Conservation Subdivision warrant article will have two public hearings, and copies of the warrant article’s language will be made available for inspection at Town Hall in the coming months.

While living in a Conservation Subdivision may not appeal to everyone, it will be attractive to many people.  It combines having neighbors within reach with the privacy of undeveloped land all around. 

-Ken Wells for the The Andover Planning Board

Share

0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

Details

    Author

    Ken Wells represented Andover, Danbury and Salisbury in the New Hampshire House of Representatives during the 2018-2020 session. He currently serves on the Andover Planning Board and is the President of a education non-profit "NH Forward" (an unpaid position).

    Archives

    June 2022
    March 2022
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Home
  • About Ken
    • Compare Values
    • Contact Ken
    • Articles & Speeches
  • Donate
  • Property Taxes
  • Support Education
    • NH Forward
  • Health & Safety
    • Women's Rights & LGBTQ+
  • Environment & Economy
    • Environmental Action Plan 2020-2050