Voting is scheduled to be held on Tuesday March 10, from 7 am to 7 pm at the Lawrence Barn, 28 Depot Rd.

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As usual, there are several important zoning amendments on the ballot this year. Hollis voters will face five zoning questions tomorrow. I have included a summary table below and more detailed description of each question further on.

 

 

1 NO!

    Remove the restriction on density of multifamily units

2 No Recommendation

    Allow Accessory Dwelling Units without ZBA exception

3 YES

    Remove requirement for vehicle inspection for parked cars

4 NO!

    Allow Planning Board waivers for Lot size, Frontage and Setbacks

5 YES

    Restrict sexually oriented businesses within 750 ft of residences

 

HollisWatch Endorses Bob Berkman for Selectman. Bob understands the need to protect our town from urbanization.

 

Summary of Zoning amendments Below

 

Amendment 1 Vote NO!

 

This proposed amendment although presented as required to meet state law on ADU units combines changes to the Determination of Density for Condominiums section which is not required and changes the specifically would apply critical density requirements to single and two family homes only!! The proposed language specifically exempts the most dense development types, condos and apartments from meeting the Building Area requirements which are critical to providing space for each unit. If this amendment passes a critical restriction of our ordinance will be removed from high density developments like condos and apartments. Why did the planning board vote to recommend this promotion of high density development in our town? It seems that they favor the ability of developers to build higher density units than have been allowed previously.

 

Amendment 2 No Recommendation

 

It seems that this proposed amendment brings the Zoning Ordinance in compliance with recent changes in state statute. HB 577, amending RSA 674:71-73 mandates that municipalities allow at least one Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)—either attached or detached—by right on any lot that permits a single-family dwelling.

Amendment 3 Vote Yes

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It seems that this proposed amendment brings the Zoning Ordinance in compliance with recent changes in state statute since vehicle inspections are no longer required by RSA in New Hampshire. House Bill 2 (HB (2) 2025), the state budget bill signed in June 2025, removed the requirement for mandatory annual vehicle safety inspections. This amendment removes the requirement for parked vehicles to be so inspected.

 

Amendment 4 Vote NO!

 

This amendment does significant damage to our open space ordinance section by specifically allowing the planning board to waive the standards for lot size, frontage, open space location, and building setbacks. Presently such exceptions require a variance from the ZBA which is much harder to obtain. Why would voters want to streamline the process for these developments by allowing the planning board to issue waivers for essentially all of the meaningful restrictions on developments?

 

Amendment 5 Vote YES

 

This amendment was submitted by petition and it closes a loophole in our current ordinance by requiring a buffer of 750 ft between a residence and a sexually orientated business. Residents homes should be protected from encroachment of such business. My thanks to the petitioner for catching this and putting it forth

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For Full Ballot text click the link below

SAMPLE BALLOT​