SNHPC presents Phase Two of HOP grant; Candia subcommittee weighs zoning approaches to expand affordable housing

Representatives from the Southern New Hampshire Planning Commission (SNHPC) presented the second phase of the Housing Opportunity Planning (HOP) grant project to the Candia HOP Subcommittee at its July 9, 2026 meeting and reviewed a housing regulatory audit of the town's zoning, subdivision and site-plan rules. The audit identified potential regulatory barriers to expanding housing opportunities and offered a menu of strategies the Planning Board could consider.

The presentation and subsequent committee discussion highlighted continued demand for workforce and affordable housing in Candia and a community preference for preserving the town's rural character while allowing more choices. Committee members cited community survey results that showed support for concentrating future housing opportunities along Route 27 and noted existing options such as accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and manufactured housing communities.

Committee members also discussed a data point from the grant work indicating that about 11% of Candia's housing stock qualifies as affordable under current valuation metrics. SNHPC representatives and committee members reviewed potential zoning and regulatory concepts to increase housing opportunities, including open-space residential developments, duplex and triplex allowances in appropriate locations, overlay districts with design standards, streamlined approval processes for qualifying affordable developments, and targeted revisions to development standards to encourage workforce housing while maintaining community character.

The subcommittee considered a range of housing types as part of the conversationmanufactured and modular housing, tiny homes, and smaller single-family homes with potential maximum-size limits to reduce construction costs and expand attainable options. Members discussed how regulating maximum home size could lower construction costs, but no formal recommendations were made during the meeting. The committee also reviewed current zoning provisions for age-restricted (55+) housing and discussed how those developments have evolved.

Infrastructure capacity was raised as a key caveat: members stressed the need to assess water supply and septic capacity before approving zoning changes that would allow greater density. SNHPC representatives noted the potential use of HOP grant funds to complete a town-wide soils analysis to identify areas able to support additional residential density while maintaining adequate water and septic services.

The subcommittee agreed that future meetings will focus on refining concepts and developing recommendations for the Planning Board. Topics identified for continued evaluation include potential zoning amendments for Route 27, appropriate housing types and development standards, design standards and overlay districts, and strategies to encourage workforce and affordable housing while maintaining community character. Members also agreed to circulate educational materials about tiny homes prior to the next meeting.

Procedurally, the meeting opened with the approval of prior meeting minutes by unanimous vote. Minutes for the July 9 meeting were submitted by Steve Hare.