Planning board authorizes application for a free Plan New Hampshire charrette focused on Route 125

The Brentwood Planning Board authorized members to prepare an application to Plan New Hampshire for a charrette focused on Route 125 and site-plan guidance for commercial properties.

A board member explained that Plan New Hampshire’s charrette program typically charges a $6,500 program fee plus incidental costs for volunteer professional teams, but Brentwood qualifies for a fee waiver through a HOP-grant connection. The board discussed whether to pursue a broad long-term vision or a tightly focused, practical scope (members proposed focusing on the Route 125 corridor and the town center to produce immediately useful guidance).

Several members recalled an earlier charrette in Brentwood that produced useful sketches but had weak follow-up and insufficient local buy-in. One board member said, “we should introduce these recommendations, get more feedback, come up with a plan,” and urged stronger local ownership of next steps. Concerns included paying incidental meal/lodging costs even if the program fee is waived; staff said the board could apply for additional waivers to reduce those costs.

The board voted to empower Glenn and Steph (board members identified in the meeting) to prepare the draft narrative, with the understanding the proposed application would be circulated to the full board for review before submission. The motion passed by voice vote.

Board members discussed integrating housing topics required by the program into a practical scope — for example, accessory dwelling units (ADUs) or commercial-zone housing options — and using the charrette to produce tangible guidance for developers and residents that can inform the March town-meeting debate on proposed zoning changes.

Next steps: designated members will draft the application narrative and circulate it to the board; staff will check available grant or program funds for incidentals and report back.