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.

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 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 here or email project consultant Liz@efdesignplanning.com

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.

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.

We invited Northwood residents to weigh in on recreation needs & opportunities, the Town Hall, the Community Center, and the Transfer Station.

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.