Somersworth Master Plan Chapters 2025-2026

Project Overview

SRPC is working with the City of Somersworth to update its 2010 Master Plan.  In April 2024, the City adopted the updated Housing chapter, followed by the Land Use and Natural Resources chapters in November 2024.

In 2025 – 2026, SRPC is working with the City to develop the Transportation, Economic Development, Historic and Cultural Resources, and Vision chapters. The chapters will use a similar chapter development process and combine many outreach and engagement efforts in addition to more topic focused surveys and other input.

The Master Plan update coincides with a zoning update in the City’s downtown and Route 108 corridor. This is also an SRPC effort and details are found on the project page.

Outreach Summary and How to Get Involved

• Online Survey – The survey, hosted on the platform SurveyMonkey, covered broad vision and resource-specific topics, and included questions about commuting, safe streets, business-friendliness, recreation, and attractions in Somersworth. The survey was open from September 1 to November 1. A follow-up survey for business owners and property owners in the historic district was conducted in late fall and early winter.
• Website, Social Media, and Newsletters – Opportunities to provide input will be advertised via social media posts, newsletter or local newspaper articles, flyers, and/or school backpack stuffers.
• Community Forum –  A community workshop held on November 13, 2025 provided direct input into developing a vision for the City of Somersworth, with a breakout group for each of the four chapters. Thank you to City staff who helped us put on a spectacular event!

Next Steps

Chapter Development – The four chapters will be informed by research, data and analysis.

Goal Setting and Action Planning – SRPC will present the findings of the outreach efforts and results of the data and other analyses at Planning Board Workshops, starting in January 2026. SRPC will lead the board in a facilitated session to identify issues, opportunities, goals and associated actions to implement those goals.

Chapter Writing – Chapters will incorporate and contextualize the outreach findings and background research and data and be organized by themes to be consistent with the Housing, Land Use, and Natural Resources Chapters.

Planning Board Draft Review – SRPC staff will present the draft chapters, solicit feedback, and finalize the recommended implementation actions to be featured. This will result in a prioritized action plan with schedule to guide the Planning Board and other community stakeholders in decision making.

Public Hearing and Adoption – Once complete, the Planning Board will hold a public hearing to consider the draft chapters for adoption into the Master Plan.