Town of Walpole, Walpole, NH 03608
Town of Walpole Master Plan: Goals and Objectives
GOAL #1: To preserve the scenic elements of the natural environment AND PROTECT
WALPOLE'S LAND.
OBJECTIVES:
1. Consider the adoption of a River Corridor Protection Overlay District.
2. Consider the adoption of Natural Resource Protection Overlay Districts.
3. Consider the adoption of a Scenic Viewshed ordinance.
4. Support efforts to protect land in Walpole.
5. Explore ways to fund land protection
6. Regulate telecommunication towers.
7. Support Walpole’s agricultural activity.
8. Prevent/minimize sprawl development along Route 12
GOAL #2: To ensure that Walpole has a Diverse mix of commercial and industrial uses.
OBJECTIVES:
1. Discourage the development of Walpole into a regional economic center.
2. Manage the type and intensity of commercial activity along Route 12.
3. Investigate options for nodal commercial development along Route 12.
4. Rely on performance standards to affect the impact of commercial uses.
5. Support home occupations and home-based businesses
GOAL #3: To support a moderate level of tourism.
OBJECTIVES:
1. Support the maintenance of the Cheshire Line Rail-Trail.
2. Support the designation of Route 12 as a Scenic Byway
GOAL #4: To preserve agricultural land and support farming activities.
OBJECTIVES:
1. Ensure that local regulations are not overly burdensome to farming.
2. Support local efforts to preserve important farmlands.
3. Support non-profit efforts to preserve important farmlands.
GOAL #5: Preserve the individual character and identity of Walpole's three villages.
OBJECTIVES:
1. Support the continuation of existing land uses.
2. Re-evaluate the zoning district boundaries for the villages.
3. Continue to consider the advisability of establishing an Historic District.
4. Consider the establishment of a Scenic Gateway Overlay District
Implementation and Administration
Natural Resource Protection Overlay Districts
1. Connecticut and Cold River Corridors
The boundaries of this district would extend so many feet back from the mean high water mark (250 – 500 feet). The purpose of a River Corridor district would be to ensure that activity along the shoreland does not contribute to erosion or degrade the water quality.
2. Natural Resources - Wetlands, Aquifers, Steep Slopes
The boundaries of these three separate districts would consist of all designated wetlands, aquifers and steep slopes. Within each district, permitted uses would be based on accepted science relative to the sensitive nature of the particular feature - for example, the concern with wetlands is maintaining their ability to serve as overflow in flood events, process pollutants, and provide wildlife habitat. Certain industrial uses over an aquifer are not appropriate, due to the potential for groundwater contamination. And with steep slopes, care must be taken that unsound construction practices do not result in soil erosion and sedimentation of downhill streams and waterbodies.
3. Scenic Viewsheds
Discourage the development of Walpole into a regional economic center.
1. Restrict the size of commercial buildings - for instance not permit any building area to be larger than
40,000 square feet.
2. Limit the amount of lot coverage - for instance, not allow more than 50% of the lot to be covered with impervious materials or structures.
Manage the type and intensity of commercial activity along Route 12.
Route 12 would have a separate zoning classification to allow those uses that are primarily dependent on traffic. Intensity is addressed through lot sizes and frontage requirements.
Investigate options for nodal commercial development along Route 12.
Support Agricultural Activities through land use regulations by ensuring that they are listed as permitted uses in appropriate districts with appropriate lot sizes. Flexible standards can be included in the Site Plan Review Regulations to accommodate the unique characteristics and needs of farming
Preserve the Individual Character and Identity of the villages.
Rely on performance standards to affect the impact of commercial uses.
