Newmarket Master Plan 2024-2025

Image source: Jason Shamesman, 2024

Project Description

The Strafford Regional Planning Commission has been working with the Newmarket Master Plan Subcommittee and Planning Board to update the Town’s 2001 Master Plan. Over the years, the Planning Board has added and updated many of the chapters; however, this is the first comprehensive update in over 20 years. The new Master Plan includes the following chapters: Vision; Housing; Land & Water Conservation; Arts, Culture and Historic Resources; Community Facilities and Utilities; Downtown Riverfront Design Plan; Economic Development; Energy; Recreation; Existing and Future Land Use; Transportation; and Implementation.

Public Engagement

The project kicked off in December 2023 with a community-wide survey that focused on housing and open space. The results of the survey were released at a March 2024 community workshop that solicited input on the community’s vision for balancing housing and open space. The team also sought participation from local developers through one-on-one interviews. A weeklong series of visioning sessions with the Planning Board, Conservation Commission, River Front Committee and Master Plan Committee culminated in the development of four main themes that carry through each chapter of the Master Plan: Vibrancy, Connectivity, Accessibility & Affordability, and Resiliency.

A second community survey for the other Master Plan chapters was conducted in the Summer of 2024, followed by a community workshop held on September 14. In October 2024, the Town also conducted a PlanNH design charrette that focused on the Downtown Riverfront area. The final charrette report can be found here: www.newmarketnh.gov/DocumentCenter/View/984/Newmarket-Charrette-Report

Chapter Development

Each chapter is based on community feedback, data, and in some cases additional mini surveys (such as the business community for the Economic Development chapter and people engaged in arts and culture for the Arts, Culture and Historic Resources chapter). Small work groups, comprised of Planning Board members and members of other Town boards and committees, assisted SRPC staff in developing and providing feedback for each chapter.

The planning process has engaged the community in creating a vision and developing actionable strategies for achieving that vision over the next 10 years. The Planning Board is currently reviewing each Chapter, with public hearings and adoption of full Master Plan expected by Spring 2026.