Planning Board

Responsibilities

In its role of guiding the development of the Town, the Planning Board has two primary responsibilities:

The Town's 2019 Comprehensive Master Plan serves as a guide for the Town as it manages and improves existing assets, preserves character and natural resources, and directs future growth. The Plan informs our priorities for how the Town spends taxpayer money to provide for facilities, services, and support for our community. The Master Plan will be integrated into the decision-making process to ensure all policy, project and budgeting decisions align with the priorities identified by the community.

The 2019 Master Plan’s Guiding Principles are the product of community input provided by over two years of public meetings, working groups, forums and surveys.

• Responsibly balance the cost of necessary infrastructure and facilities improvements and maintenance and the provision of desired services with funding sources that exist or can be developed.
• Preserve Manchester’s small-town character and natural environment by recommending growth of a size, type and density compatible with the community and only in areas determined to be appropriate.
• Focus on change that will strengthen the local economy, improve community health, and increase inclusivity, resiliency, sense of place and community spirit.
• Support citizens of all ages and life stages by encouraging safe, assessable and appropriate housing, transportation and mobility choices, and other public and private services.

Consider land use and the layout and functioning of the public ways as they affect public health and safety. 

The Board hears applications relating to the use and division of land which fall into five general categories: