Planning & Economic Development Committee

PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MAY 19, 2026 A meeting of the Planning and Economic Development Committee was held Tuesday, May 19, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. in the Aldermanic Chamber and duly noticed in two places, including the City’s website, in accordance with the requirements of RSA 91-A:2 II. The roll call was taken with 4 members of the Planning and Economic Development Committee present: Alderman Derek Thibeault, Chairman Alderman-at-Large Amber Morgan Alderman Patricia Klee Alderman John Sullivan Members not in Attendance: Alderman-at-Large Ben Clemons, Vice-Chairman Also in Attendance: Alderwoman Vengerflutta Smith Sam Durfee, Planning Manager Alyssa O’Mara, Executive Director, Downtown Nashua Association ROLL CALL PUBLIC COMMENT DISCUSSIONS AND/OR PRESENTATIONS - Downtown Nashua Association Chairman Thibeault recognized Alyssa O’Mara, Executive Director. - Land Use Policy Discussion Chairman Thibeault recognized Planning Manager Sam Durfee. COMMUNICATIONS – None PETITIONS - None UNFINISHED BUSINESS – None NEW BUSINESS – RESOLUTIONS - None NEW BUSINESS – ORDINANCES - None TABLED IN COMMITTEE - None GENERAL DISCUSSION PUBLIC COMMENT REMARKS BY THE ALDERMEN ADJOURNMENT MOTION BY ALDERMAN KLEE TO ADJOURN Planning & Economic Development Committee – 05/19/2026 Page 2 MOTION CARRIED The meeting was declared closed at 9:26 p.m. Alderman Amber Morgan Committee Clerk D OW N T OW N N A S H UA A S S O C I AT I O N / G R E AT A M E R I C A N D OW N T OW N I N C 2 0 2 6 D OW N T OW N S T R AT E G Y WHO WE ARE Great American Downtown is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization focused on strengthening and revitalizing downtown Nashua as a vibrant, welcoming, and economically healthy city center. Mission of Vibrancy: Great American Downtown is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to provide coordination, collaboration, and partnerships that unify the entire Nashua community around a common vision for an attractive downtown that is vibrant, viable, and truly reflects the character of our city. We advocate for downtown businesses and residents while supporting initiatives that increase foot traffic, economic activity, and quality of place. Through events, promotions, and strategic communications, we work to make downtown a place where people want to gather, shop, and invest. We collaborate closely with the City of Nashua, the Chamber of Commerce, educational institutions, and community partners to advance long-term, sustainable downtown success. Re-Established in 2002 Formed through a partnership between the City of Nashua, downtown business owners, and community members passionate about the promise of our downtown. OUR ORIGINS Originally Incorporated December 12, 1986 Under the name Nashua Downtown Development Corporation Initial Mission Statement: "To promote the growth, prosperity and public welfare of the City of Nashua by planning and providing for the improvement and development of land, buildings, and amenities in the traditional central core of the city known as Downtown Nashua." Founding Board Members: Hugh Gregg Richard West David Prolman Bette Rose Robert Potter Maurice Arel Herbert Miller Today their legacy continues as Great American Downtown, building on decades of commitment to Nashua’s downtown vibrancy. B OA R D O F D I R E C TO R S & S TA F F Alyssa O'Mara Matt Jackson, Michael Baum, Cathy Donaher, Executive Director Baird Home Solutions Veteran Chimney Bar Harbor Bank President Vice President Treasurer  B OA R D O F D I R E C TO R S & S TA F F Evin Baird, Alyssa Gager-McQuaid, Kimberly McCarthy, Phillip Scontsas, Baird Home Solutions Purple Finch Properties SMMA Cambridge Scontsas Fine Jewelry Secretary Director Director Director  B OA R D O F D I R E C TO R S & S TA F F Andrew Piela, Liz Hannum, Lt. Andrew Lane, Michael Curran, Shaheen & Gordon City of Nashua Nashua Police Dept Nashua Fire Rescue Director Voting Member Voting Member Voting Member  NEW 2026 B OA R D O F D I R E C TO R S & S TA F F • Terri Connelly, Triangle Credit Union, Director • Dr. Eric Cooney, Southern NH Health Systems, Director • James Lawrence, Masonic Building Association, Director • Dan Splaine, 84Bravo Media, Director • Elaina Bedio, Downtown Nashua Association, Director of Operations & Engagement  C U R R E N T E V E N T S & P RO G R A M S May 23 – Rubber Duck Regatta (Derby) May 24 – October 18 – Farmers Market June 6 – August 29 – Summer Music Series On The Riverwalk June 17 – Downtown Pianos June 17 – Taste of Downtown June 20 – Nashua PRIDE Festival July 25 – Summer Stroll September 12 – Coloring Main Street September TBD – Downtown Restaurant Week October 13 – Downtown Scarecrows October 24 – Main Street Monster Mash November 14 – Main Street Unwrapped / Festival of Trees November 27 – Plaid Friday November 28 – Winter Stroll Third Thursdays – Monthly/Year-round  T H E VA L U E W E B R I N G • Create a destination Downtown • Increase foot traffic to local businesses • Strengthen community pride and connection • Provide a platform for artists, makers, and performers • Attract visitors, new residents, and investors to Nashua Since June 2025: • Removed participation fees from GAD events for businesses • Rebuilt/Building relationships with the Chamber, City, and local media • Working on Main St America Affiliation • Advocates through GNCC, Nashua BOA, DIC • Working to bring back the Façade Grant Program w/ City Planning Dept • Coordinating open door days at the GAD office with the SBDC and REDC • Rebranding of organization and new website with a tourism focus • Collaboration with Economic Development & higher education institutions on revitalization efforts (Colby College example) • Inclusion of and collaboration with local nonprofits in fundraising FINANCIAL SNAPSHOT Our Funding Sources: Event Sponsorships Grants Vendor fees and program income Donations City partnerships (non-budgetary) The Numbers 2023 General Operating $178K 2024 General Operating $213K  OUTREACH The Downtowner Social Media downtownnashua.org • 4,300+ Subscribers • Facebook: • 33,170 Visitors Annually • 39.3%. Average Open Rate Nashua Winter Stroll 10K • 10.5k Visitors on Peak Day Great American Downtown 13K – Winter Holiday Stroll • 6.8% Click-through Rate Nashua Farmers Market 10K • *New in Junen 2026 • 50%+ Higher Than Industry Average Open Rates • 184.4K Views VIBEMAP! • 1.9K Interactions • Nearly 3× Industry Average Click-through Rate • 45.5K Reach Partner With Us!  QUESTIONS? COMMENTS? W E ’ D L OV E TO H E A R F RO M YO U. W W W. D O W N T O W N N A S H U A . O R G LET’S BUILD SOMETHING TOGETHER! Thank You. Planning & Economic Development Committee May 19, 2026 Session 11: Policy Guidance  PEDC Meeting Dates What we have covered so far: February 19th March 17th • October 9, 2024: General introduction to re-CODE April 21st May 19th • April 15, 2025: Building Types, Density, Test June 16th • June 5, 2025: Redevelopment Overlay Districts July 21st • August 21, 2025: Mobility & Parking • August 26, 2025: Inclusionary Zoning • September 16, 2025: Zoning Map & Green Score • September 29, 2025: Use Table & Site Standards & IZ Update • February 19, 2026: Recap & Work Planning • March 17, 2026: Policy Points • April 21, 2026: Case Study • May 19, 2026: Policy Points Policy Points – Article V Overlay Districts • Downtown Architecture – Finalize weather language about complimenting historic architecture is appropriately enabling or potentially limiting. “…with building facades that compliment the historic architecture.” Current Policy: Limited language “To maintain unique aesthetic, architectural and visual amenities of individual buildings or cluster of buildings.” – Purpose Statement of 190-20 (D-1/D-3) “Unique aesthetic, architectural and visual character of nearby buildings or cluster of buildings shall be maintained, and that the site plan shall be in harmony with such character.” – Site Plan Approval Criterion #3 Related… • Wall Material Standards for Downtown – Decide whether district- specific wall material standards are needed. Current Policy: Limited language Policy Points – Article VI Building Standards • Exterior Materials / EIFS Prohibition – Confirm approved materials list and discuss EIFS as an (un)acceptable wall material. Current Policy: • A permitted material in D-1/D-3 design standards. • Nonresidential building materials: Brick, Wood, Sandstone, Concrete block, native masonry,similar* * Frequent waiver request at Planning Board Policy Points – Article VII Use Standards • Stand-Alone Self-Storage – Continue to allow as a principle use, or require higher-level of development? Current Policy: • Permitted in AI, PI, GI • CUP in GB & HB Provided the facility is at least 200’ from public ROW, doors are screened from view, plus 40’ landscape buffer from all abutting residential uses. Policy Points – Article VII Use Standards • Residential Use Classification – Simplify residential into three categories: Household living, Group Living, Group Living with Care. Current Policy: Single Family, Duplex, Triplex, Multi-family, Elderly Housing, Halfway House, Room Renting, etc. Use Categories - Refresher Class Retail Sales Category Category: Consumer Goods Individual • Current Code: 293 Individual Uses • Proposed: 12 Use Classes, 66 Use Categories, 66 Individual Uses Residential Use Classification Policy Points – Article VII Use Standards • Age-Restricted Housing Density Factor Bonus. Should a DF bonus be offered for age-restricted housing? Base Density Factor 1,125 SF Sustainable Development / Age- Restricted 975 SF Inclusionary Zoning 850 SF Current Policy: Inconsistent, sometimes double the base density, sometimes more limited than base. Policy Points – Article IX Site Standards • Landscaping Payment-in-Lieu – Develop a CUP-based tree fund payment-in-lieu ordinance. Current Policy: None Policy Points – Article XIII Administration • Technical Review Committee – Establish composition, authority, and procedures for a TRC. Current Policy: TRC is advisory to the Planning Board Policy Points – Articles III and VIII Civic Space • Civic Space Ownership and Maintenance – Who owns and is responsible for new Civic Space? • How much Civic Space to require? Ability to buy-out of a portion? Require 10-20% depending on context • Require a playground within 800-feet of any lot in a new Neighborhood-Residential or Urban Residential District? Policy Points – Articles III and VIII Civic Space Regulating Plan Districts MR6 MR5 MR4 Civic Space = 18% Thoroughfares Highway Avenue Drive Street Path Passage Alley Reference Project Boundary Pedestrian Shed Policy Points – Article VIII Neighborhood Types Neighborhood Types are used to structure development of new communities. • Minimum threshold of 20 acres proposed. Too large? Too small? Sufficient land area is needed in order to develop a neighborhood. Policy Points – Article XI Inclusionary Zoning • Should the Planning Board have the authority to require for-sale IZ units be sold to the City? • Ownership IZ – Still of interest, despite its challenges? • Recipient of Payment-In-Lieu Funds? • Housing Revolving Fund for the competitive grant/loan program. Policy Points – Article VI Building Standards Size of Accessory Structures • Limited to 5,000sf (relief by Special Exception) and must meet three of the following: • The structure is less than 1,000 SF • The structure has no permanent physical connection to utilities • The structure has no insulation • The structure has no permanent foundation Current code: Accessory Structures cannot exceed 40% of the Principal Structure's square-footage