We have warned you about the Regional Planning Commissions and their “master plans” which employ the use of HUD grants in order to seed the process.

Towns accepting HUD money for these projects suggested in master plans are actually signing a contract with the federal government, an agreement that comes with ‘strings’.

Several cities are, however, on the “fast track” and can apply for similar grants (Community Development Block Grants) directly or through the county. The goal of these programs is urbanism.

*There are, however, five “entitlement communities” which get money directly from HUD as a special set-aside (These communities are Rochester, Dover, Portsmouth, Manchester, and Nashua). Projects located in these communities can apply either directly to the city or to CDFA through their county.

http://www.nhcdfa.org/block-grants/program

From residents of the City of Rochester we learn:

The city of Rochester NH has taken bold action to extend housing developments, as those promoted by the Federal Government, into previously rural sections.

This is supported by the city’s desire to take Community Development Block Grants and maintain their entitlement city status.

This is another example of “you have to sign it so you know what’s in it!”

A coordinated TRG (Technical Review Group) was developed through agreements between City Departments and the developers, to be presented before the Planning Board Departments and the developers, to be presented before the Planning Board.

The notes from the TRG (Technical Review Group) meeting prior to the January 4, 2016 meeting mentioned that they also need to confer with the Strafford Regional Planning Commission. We are not sure why, nor was it indicated.

The proposal is to build 153 housing units on 1/3 acre plots on 75+- acres.

View the plans here: Summary of Chesley Hill Rd. Development

At a recent Rochester Planning Board meeting, the director of planning for the City of Rochester (Jim Campbell) of this board indicated that it was not necessary to even notify abutters to this property. Really?

Not only does this video include the developers proposal, it includes “testaments” from residents of the area concerned about the devastating effect on this neighborhood’s quality of life, investment, safety and education.

For what purpose, we ask, social experimentation?

Initially there was concern about maintaining a rural character, but we are not sure how this would be accomplished with this amount of density.

We urge citizens of other communities to review this meeting.

Our hope is that you become aware of what is coming to your communities and how these government planning units will affect your quality of life and that of your family for generations to come.

The presentation by the developers begins at approximately the 00:23:45 mark…
It then goes into public comment from the neighborhood…

After public comment the members ask questions of developers…

They didn’t seem to have a clue of what they wanted to build – how big – lot size etc.

http://rochesternh.pegcentral.com/player.php?video=6af189cef008ce5147b5aa228f410930