Flexible\Mixed Use Development District

1          Purpose

This section provides for the redevelopment of the NH Community Technical College site, which is a very unique property in Stratham.   If no opportunity for change were provided for within this ordinance, proposed reuses could be limited to state, federal or other governmental institutional uses.   

The purpose and goals of this section are to provide for the possible redevelopment of the site within the following guidelines:

·                    To encourage a mixed-use environment which would allow opportunities to develop or provide for the adaptive reuse of existing structures where flexible performance standards would provide for the protection of abutting neighborhoods, surrounding properties and uses. 

·                    To provide for limited commercial, office, and light industrial uses which are similar in nature, and which improve employment opportunities and strengthen the economic base of the town.  Such activities should be sensitive to the natural environment, “Dark Sky” lighting standards, adjacent residential areas and other community facilities.

·                    To utilize compact village development guidelines, which would encourage the creation of human-scale development with “Town Center” pedestrian friendly spaces, centralized park areas and recreational opportunities.

·                    To encourage any new development to meet energy efficiency standards and sustainability practices.

In order to maintain protections for surrounding properties, development under this ordinance may require more stringent buffer requirements for neighboring residential zones and uses.  Due to the sensitivity of the environment and potential proximity to residential areas only specific alternative uses will be permitted.


2                    Zone Defined

The Flex/Mixed Use Development Zone District shall include:

            Map 14 Lot 24

3                    Allowed Uses

The following uses are allowed primary uses within the zone;

a.                  Retirement Planned Community as defined in section 5.6.

b.                  Senior multi-family housing, congregate care facilities, retirement home or other supported or independent living arrangement for active adults.

c.                  Adult, family or child-care facilities.

d.                  Educational facilities.

e.                  Medical offices, laboratory, clinic, medical support service or short and long-term care facilities.

f.                    Research and development, corporate and business offices.

g.                  Professional services.

h.                  Hotel/Conference Center and related Facilities

i.                    Indoor recreation/entertainment center/health club.

j.                     Those uses currently allowed within the RA and PRE zones unless otherwise prohibited or limited within this section.

The following uses shall require a Conditional Use Permit issued by the Planning Board and shall only be allowed as subordinate or complimentary use to any of the above primary uses.

k.                  Multi-family housing, limited to 2-bed room units.

l.                     General commercial and/or retail, limited to a maximum of 20,000 sq. ft. per unit.

m.                Outdoor recreation/entertainment facilities.

n.                  Food service or full service restaurant, limited to a maximum of 10,000 sq. ft. per unit.

o.                  Bank (drive-up and/or office) or financial service.

p.                  Light Industry.

q.                  Cultural uses.

r.                    Social service or church/religious use.

s.                  Veterinary Hospital or clinic.

t.                    Any other use, which may be determined by the Planning Board to be subordinate and/or accessory to a primary allowed use.

4                    Development Standards  

Any re-use of existing structures where no major external changes are made, parking requirements do not exceed current available spaces, no increase in current septic discharge occurs and traffic impacts are not increased from previous community college use shall be treated as a minor site review by the Planning Board with expited review and approval.

Any proposed new development shall require full site plan review by the Planning Board and comply with the following standards:

a.                  All drainage shall be entirely controlled and reintegrated on-site.

b.                  Site layout should attempt to reflect a compact village style.

c.                  All new construction shall follow environmentally sustainable practices and BMP’s, which would qualify for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) credits.

d.                  All new site work shall implement Low Impact Development (LID) BMP’s.

e.                  All signage shall follow the standards within section 7.3 of these ordinances as allowed within the Town Center zone except for setbacks, which shall only apply to an external lot line.  The Planning Board through the Site Plan Review process shall approve all internal lot line setbacks for signage.

f.                    Any new development shall meet the requirements of Sections 5.2 Landscape Design Standards and Section 5.15 Architectural Plans of the Stratham Site Plan Review Regulations.

            In addition the Planning Board through it Site Plan Review and Subdivision application process may require any additional standards, which shall mitigate adverse impacts from any proposed uses.  The Board may require additional buffers or performance standards, which will reduce or eliminate any objectionable activities or impacts. 

5                    Setbacks and Streetscape

a.                  Setbacks to any existing exterior lot line shall be 100’.

b.                  Setbacks for any new construction on any new interior street shall be measured as a build-to line of no less than 20’.

c.                  All new street construction shall provide for a sidewalk with curbing where appropriate and also where appropriate a 4’ green buffer strip between the paved portion of the street and the sidewalk.  

d.                  Any new lots within the parcel shall require no more than 50’ of frontage and shall allow for zero lot-line setbacks to allow attached structures or for a 10’ minimum separation between structures.

6          Prohibited Uses

The following restrictions shall exist and uses not allowed within the Flex/Mixed Use district:

a.                  Adult Oriented Uses;

b.                  Recycling Facilities;

c.                  Automotive Sales;

d.                  Gas/Service Stations;

c.         Junk Yards;

e.                  Hazardous Waste Storage.