Welcome
Welcome to the project website for the Northwood, NH Master Plan Update. This site contains information about ongoing and recently updated master plan chapters. Please visit again for project updates, information about how to get involved, and chapter drafts. The Planning Board and Master Plan Subcommittee are currently in the process of updating the Future Land Use Chapter. The Planning Board is also considering options to amend the Open Space Design Ordinance. The current projects are funded through a grant from the Housing Opportunity Planning Grant Program.
Land Use Planning & Zoning Workshop
Save the Date
The Planning Board and Master Plan Subcommittee are hosting a Community Land Use Planning Workshop on August 7th from 6-8pm at the Northwood Congregational Church (881 First NH Turnpike). At this interactive session we will hear from you about what you want to see in your community in the future. We’ll draw on maps, talk about your ideas and concerns, and review the results of everyone’s input. No land use planning experience or past involvement is needed to participate in this workshop.
Pizza and refreshments will be served! Kids are welcome and we will have some craft supplies to help keep them occupied. This is a free event but please RSVP to Liz@efdesignplanning.com so we know how about many people to expect. If you are unable to attend but want to get involved and learn more about the master plan update, please contact the Land Use Department at 603-942-5586.
We hope to see you there!
RSVP appreciated
If you are planning to attend the workshop, please RSVP to project consultant Liz@efdesignplanning.com or fill in your name and info below:
The results are in!
Survey Input
Thank you to all who completed the Land Use and Visual Preference Survey! Your input is critical to generating a master plan chapter that reflects the needs, interests, and goals for the town. The Planning Board reviewed survey findings at their meeting on June 12.12.25. Summary slides are available here and full results with comments are available here. Survey input will shape the discussions at the August 7, 2025 workshop and the Future Land Use Chapter itself.
Coming Soon!
Future Land Use chapter
The Future Land Use chapter is the culmination of the Master Plan. All the data, analyses and recommendations from earlier chapters will be integrated into Future Land Use. Among the topics the Planning Board will be exploring are the possibility of establishing one or more additional zoning districts, as is common in other towns. Multiple districts would help to enable the Planning Board to take a more refined and nuanced approach to encouraging the type of development in which Northwood residents have expressed interest. New zoning districts would also reflect the most appropriate parts of town for new development. The Planning Board will be reaching out to residents to help inform the content of this important Master Plan chapter.
Short Answer: So Local residents can determine the town's future
Why Have a Master Plan?
The Master Plan is a powerful tool that allows local residents to have a say in determining the community’s future. The town’s zoning ordinance and land use regulations rely the master plan for their legitimacy and legal authority. In fact, courts in New Hampshire and elsewhere have ruled that a current and comprehensive plan is a prerequisite for a zoning ordinance. NH RSA 674:3 recommends that the plan be updated every 5 to 10 years.
NH RSA 674:2 provides helpful guidance on the contents of a master plan, both components that are required and those that are optional. NH’s former Office of Energy & Planning published a helpful summary that explains the purpose of a municipal plan and identifies those who are responsible for the plan’s preparation and adoption. NH RSA 674:3 III requires the master plan update to be a public process.
Northwood’s Master Plan Steering Committee is committed to engaging Northwood residents and business owners to the maximum extent possible.
An Engaged Citizenry
Public Participation
Northwood’s Master Plan Steering Committee strives to engage residents (both year round and seasonal) and local business owners in a dialog on the town’s future. The committee drafted a Master Plan vision chapter, based on the input of those who joined us in this important discussion that describes the community to which we aspire in the coming years.
The committee engaged Northwood residents by several means. The results of those efforts are documented here.
We're Making Progress!
Chapters Adopted by the Planning Board
On January 5, 2023, the Northwood Planning Board adopted the following Master Plan chapters: Introduction, Vision, and Existing Land Use.
On July 15, 2024, the Planning Board adopted the following Master Plan chapters: Housing & Demographics, Community Facilities, Natural Resources and Water Resources, Recreation, and Public Input.
On April 10, 2025, the Planning Board adopted the Economic Development Chapter.
The Board is currently in the process of updating the Future Land Use Chapter.
Coming Soon!
Open Space Design and Mixed Use Development
In 2025 and 2026, the Northwood Planning Board will explore options for refining the town’s land use regulations to permit two innovative types of development: 1) Open Space Design that would permit new housing while requiring the preservation of adjacent open space; and 2) Mixed Use Development that would allow a type of development that was common in the 19th century, namely villages with small retail and services businesses in close proximity to new housing. We will be exploring several different approaches to this topic, and will welcome public input throughout our deliberations.
Community Facilities, Natural & Water Resources, and Recreation
The 2024 Survey Results Are In!
We conducted a survey of Northwood residents and stakeholders between January 3, 2024 and February 16. We heard from 169 respondents. Have a look at the results: 1) Community Facilities, 2) Water & Natural Resources, and 3) Recreation.
Community Discussions in April 2024
We invited Northwood residents to weigh in on recreation needs & opportunities, the Town Hall, the Community Center, and the Transfer Station.
They Had Lots to Say
Gathering Input at Beanhole Bash 2023
We staffed a tent at the Beanhole Bash on July 29, 2023. The occasion marked Northwood’s 250th anniversary.
Some 18 Northwood residents took the time to respond to our Housing Survey via paper survey forms. Many more preferred the electronic version. Survey response has been robust. Lots of opinions on how to proceed with the housing chapter.
Our Where In Northwood? exhibit was a crowd pleaser. The exhibit was of comprised of eight low-altitude aerial photographs. The challenge was to identify the locations. Many identified seven of the eight. Only one person identified all eight.
Great comments and discussions
Public Workshop in August 2022
We had a very public work session on August 29, 2022 at the Northwood School. If you missed it and wish to catch up, the session was recorded, and may be viewed here. Here are some links to the work session agenda, the slides we presented, and the Existing Land Use Map that is based on data from 2015.
The primary purpose of the session was to solicit resident and stakeholder input for the Vision chapter of the Master Plan. The comments and suggestions were many and varied. The verbatim (written) comments from participants may be viewed here.
We reached out to residents and business owners
The 2022 & 2023 Survey Results
Northwood’s Master Plan Steering Committee sought to engage as many residents and business owners as possible during the month of July 2022. We did so because we want this Master Plan update to be driven and shaped by community members. The results of the Community Vision Survey may be viewed here, and that of the 2023 Housing Survey may be viewed here.
Northwood by the Numbers
Supporting Materials
Project Resources
Maps
Connecting People to Nature NALMC Resource Map; Guptill-Lamprey Pasture Conservation Area Trails; Northwood Meadows Area Trail Map; Existing Land Use 2021 – Strafford Regional Planning; Figure 6 Topography Figure 7 …
Experienced Community Planners
The Project Team
Tom Morgan, AICP
Principal, TZM PlanningLiz Durfee, AICP
Principal, EF | Design & PlanningGet in touch
WE WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU.
We welcome all project-related comments, suggestions, feedback, concerns, and queries.
Town Staff Contact Info
Town Offices
818 1st NH Turnpike
Northwood, NH 03261