Council adopts zoning rewrite, renaming Innovation District the 'Link District'

Portsmouth City Council voted 7‑0 on Feb. 10 to amend chapter 40.2 of the zoning ordinance, renaming the Innovation District to the Link District and revising permitted uses, prohibited uses and design standards to advance walkable, mixed‑use redevelopment along High Street.

Dr. Russell (planning staff) described a two‑part implementation: immediately prohibit certain uses judged incompatible with the corridor (examples listed in staff presentation included drive‑throughs, convenience stores, single‑family detached houses, park‑and‑ride lots, construction and material sales, crematories, vehicle sales/service, recycling centers and animal breeding facilities, and restrict design features such as neon lighting) and then hold stakeholder engagement to set prescriptive design standards for landscaping, parking, signage and facades. She cited a city trip to Greenville and a Harvard/Bloomberg course that informed components of the plan and said the Link District will aim to attract commissary kitchens, maker spaces and other entrepreneurial uses.

Council members discussed density and height (staff cited a maximum density of 64 units per acre in the ordinance text but said actual height depends on parcel size) and branding (some council members favored retaining the word "Innovation" in marketing). Councilwoman Thomas asked about the RAISE grant timeline; staff and city manager confirmed the city must obligate RAISE funds by Sept. 30, 2026, and expend them by Sept. 30, 2031, and that staff are tracking those deadlines.

The ordinance was adopted 7‑0. Staff will follow the stated public engagement plan to develop final design standards and coordinate RAISE grant timelines.