Planning Board Meeting

DURHAM PLANNING BOARD

Wednesday, January 28, 2026

Council Chambers, Durham Town Hall

7:00 p.m.

AGENDA

I.          Call to Order

II.        Roll Call, Explanation for those participating on Zoom, Vote to allow participation on Zoom, and Seating of Alternates

III.       Approval of Agenda

IV.       Town Planner’s Report

V.        Reports from Board Members who serve on Other Committees

VI.       Public Comments

VII.      Review of Minutes (old):  December 10, 2025

VIII.    Public Hearing – Amendments per New State Laws.  Proposed amendments to the Zoning Ordinance to comply with recently adopted state laws affecting land use. The amendments pertain to municipal restrictions on dwelling units, accessory dwelling units, and multi-unit residential on commercial land.  The Planning Board initiated a set of amendments which were forwarded to the Town Council.  This revised version includes one change proposed by the Town Council to allow Mixed-Use with Residential in Coe’s Corner and the four Research-Industry zones.   Recommended action:  Schedule public hearing.

IX.       Prospective Rezoning – Lot on Cowell Drive.  Discussion about potential rezoning of 10 Cowell Drive, Map 108, Lot 27, from Residence A to Church Hill District. Owned by Jeff Berlin/Berlin Properties.  Recommended action:  Discussion, possible site walk, possible public hearing.

X.        Zoning Amendments recommended by Housing Task Force.  Discussion about amendments proposed by the task force to expand opportunities for residential development with changes to the Table of Uses, Table of Dimensions, and Zoning Text affecting single-family residential; two, three, and four-unit residential; multi-unit residential; senior housing;  mixed-use with residential; lot sizes; density; setbacks; frontage; and other elements.  Recommended action:  Discussion.

XI.       Electric Vehicle Charging Stations.  Continued discussion of proposed amendments to the Site Plan Regulations to create more electric vehicle charging stations.  Developed by the Durham Energy Committee.    Recommended action:  Continued discussion.

XII.      Review of Minutes: December 10, 2025

XIII.    Other Business:

XIV.    Adjournment 

*ZOOM ACCESS

The Town of Durham offers access to meetings with Zoom and Durham Cable Access Television (DCAT) as a convenience to the public. Zoom is generally reliable for watching meetings and offering

comments when allowed.  However, due to factors outside our control, occasionally access on Zoom does not work well.  We cannot guarantee that Zoom will always be available seamlessly and suggest that people who want to ensure being able to watch and participate attend the meeting in person.

To access any LIVE Zoom Public Meeting, you must be Registered.  This link will take you to the registration page: https://www.ci.durham.nh.us/boc_dcatgovernance/zoom-video-meeting-schedule.   If you have difficulty logging in, contact DCAT: 603-590-1383.

*OTHER INFORMATION

1)      Public hearings and public comments.  The public is welcome to speak at all public hearings and during the Public Comments time.  Comments on all matters, except those for which a hearing is on the agenda, should be made during the Public Comments time (including comments on agenda items).  The public may speak and submit written/email comments on any germane subject except active matters where the hearing has been closed. When a public hearing will be held soon for a specific item, the board may require that comments be made at the hearing.

2)      Submission of comments in writing.  Send emails and letters to Michael Behrendt, Town Planner, at mbehrendt@ci.durham.nh.us or at the address above. Substantive comments about current board matters, except where the public hearing is closed, will be a) emailed to the board;  b) mailed to the board if received by the Thursday before the meeting or given to members at the meeting if received later; and c) posted on the Town’s website.

Any email, letter, or document that is pertinent to a decision which the Planning Board is expected to make at the upcoming Wednesday meeting, must be received in the Planning Office by the prior Monday at 5:00 p.m. or the board will consider the material only at its discretion (This limitation does not apply to comments made at the public hearing).

3)      Other information.  Files on the agenda items are available for review on the Town website https://www.ci.durham.nh.us/.  Agendas marked “Preliminary Agenda” are subject to change.  The final agenda will be posted on the Friday prior to the meeting. To see documents related to specific items, see the agenda on the website and click on any highlighted items.                                                                

4)      Contacting us.   Call (603) 868-8064 or email Michael Behrendt, above, or Tracey Cutler, Administrative Assistant, at tcutler@ci.durham.nh.us.

5)      Recommended actions.   Actions recommended by the Town Planner are shown above.  The board may or may not take these actions and may take other actions not stated.

6)      10:00 pm.  The board will take up a new item of business after 10:00 pm at its discretion.

7)      Communication aids.  Please provide the Town with 48-hours’ notice if any aids are needed.

8)      Next meeting.  The next regular board meeting will be on February 11, 2025.