Sharon Monahan, a wetlands scientist who is a member of the Peterborough Zoning Board, proposed introducing a zoning change that would allow development of three-acre backlots in the rural zone at Monday night’s meeting.

Monahan pointed out that several existing developments in Peterborough, including the Nubanusit Neighborhood and the Long Hill Road neighborhood, were built on backlots with only 150 feet of frontage enabling the access drive. 

“The average lot price in Peterborough is $259,000 an acre. It is much higher than surrounding towns,” Monahan said. “There are many people who want to build individual homes in Peterborough and who do not want to be a part of a development. They don’t want to be part of an HOA (homeowners association) and they want to build the house they want to build, but the lots are not available. This would be baby steps to create more developable land.”

Monahan’s proposal would allow creation of a backlot with of a minimum of three acres in a minor subdivision in the Rural District, and reduce Rural District frontage to 150 feet instead of 200, which would be the same as the Family District.

Board Chair Carl Staley suggested the board start the process of reviewing the zoning change in time for the March election. Board member Lisa Stone, who was participating remotely, volunteered to spearhead researching the impacts of  the proposed change. 

Monahan said she would like the proposal moved forward to public hearing. 

“Every time I propose something, you tell me there’s not enough time to put it on the ballot,” she said.

The board agreed to schedule a hearing for the proposal.

Wetland zone wording changes approved

The Peterborough Planning Board approved minor changes to the Wetland Overlay Protection Zone as recommended by the Peterborough Conservation Commission.

Conservation Commission co-Chair Francie Von Mertens proposed the changes at the Jan. 13 meeting of the Planning Board. The recommendations stipulate that building sites retain a natural vegetative buffer, or swale, adjacent to wetlands rather than building retention ponds to mitigate stormwater. The Conservation Committee also recommended adding a clause stipulating that the Planning Board may request third-party review of a site if necessary before granting a Conditional Use permit to an applicant.   

The board approved the changes. 

Hancock Street hearingto be scheduled

Ken Theriault, representing his parents, who are the owners of 77 Hancock St. in Peterborough, asked the board to rezone the property from Commercial to Village Commercial zoning in order to potentially create housing lots at the site.

The property, which includes what was formerly the Theriault home, is located on Route 202 and surrounded by commercial buildings.

“It looks like a house, but it is currently office space,” Theriault said. 

A rezone of all the lots in the district could affect up to 49 lots. The board voted to move the Hancock Street property to public hearing. 

Short-term rentals raised

Planning Board member Andrew Dunbar brought up the issue of regulations around short-term rentals such as AirBnB’s in Peterborough. 

“I’m not for it or against it. I just know a lot of towns are talking about the issue and I wondered if we should be thinking about the impact on Peterboorough,” Dunbar said.

Town Planner Danica Melone said that there are currently no New Hampshire laws around short-term rentals.

“Any ordinance we create would not have legal backing,” Melone said.

Ivy Vann, a Peterborough resident who is an urban planner, said the town could create regulations around issues such as parking or noise, and Melone agreed.

“I don’t recommend the town try to create ordinance around short-term rentals. We can look at creating rules around the behavior,” she said. 

Select Board member Bill Kennedy said so far, he did not know of any short-term rentals in Peterborough causing any problems. 

“There are several on my street and they are no problem at all,” he said.