Hampton Beach Master Plan: Summary of Recommendations

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B. Summary of Recommendations

The following table presents a summary of the recommendations for each section of the Plan. They are organized according these four elements.

1

Recommendation

Lists the actions necessary to achieve the objectives of the Plan

2

Initiation Responsibility

Assigns the elected or appointed body, agency, group, individuals or volunteers principally responsible to initiate the implementation action if needed beyond the coordinating entity

3

Time Frame

Time in years at which the recommendation should be implemented after the plan is approved

4

Funding Sources

Lists the potential town, state, or federal agencies, and community resources necessary to achieve the implementation action

Table 25. Summary of Recommendations

Recommendation

Initiation Responsibility

Primary responsibility in bold

Time Frame (years)

Funding Sources

 

 

Phase I

(0 – 2)

Phase II (3 –9)

Phase III

(10-50)

 

Planning, Coordination, and Programming

          

Establish a management entity

DRED and Town, HBMPAC

:

    

DRED, Town

Establish a Business Improvement District (BID)

Management, Village Precinct

  

:

  

DRED, NH OSP

Coordinate short and long-term actions

Management

:

:

  

DRED, REDC

Develop Marketing Plan

Management, BID

  

:

  

REDC

Maintain liaison with appropriate funding agencies

Management

:

:

  

REDC

Acquire permitting as needed for all public projects

Management

:

:

:

  

State Park Management

 

 

 

 

 

Coordinate future plans and actions with Town activities

NH DPR, BID, Chamber

:

 

 

NH DRED

Improve state park revenues

NH DRED, BID

:

 

 

 

Allow off-season uses of the facilities

BID, NH DPR

:

 

 

 

Continue to establish new events and coordinate with other areas

NH DPR, BID, Chamber

:

 

 

(Ongoing)

Hampton Harbor Coordination

 

 

 

 

 

Establish a Harbor Advisory Group

PDA, NH DPR,

:

 

 

 

Prepare and implement a harbor management plan for the Hampton/Seabrook Harbor

PDA, NH DPR, Harbor Advisory Group, Seabrook

 

:

 

NH OSP, PDA

Support the presence of the NH Marine Patrol vessel and personnel

NH DOS, PDA

:

 

 

NH DOS

Coordinate Route 1A bridge openings with the NH DOT

PDA, NH DOT

:

 

 

 

Zoning (Zoning changes must be approved by Town vote.)

          

Rewrite sign ordinance

Plan Board, HPlan, BID

:

      

Create site plan review and design guidelines

Plan Board, BID

:

      

Implement design controls and set minimum façade requirements

Plan Board, BID

:

      

Change setback requirements for multi-family units

Plan Board, BID

        

Reduce percent of lot coverage (impervious surfaces)

Plan Board, BID

  

:

    

Parking

          

Allow shared parking for commercial uses in the BS district

Plan Board

        

Change the zoning ordinance to accommodate the preferred parking options

Plan Board, HPD, HPlan, BID

  

:

    

BID – Business Improvement District, Chamber – Hampton Chamber of Commerce, HBMPAC – Hampton Beach Master Plan Advisory Committee, HPlan-Hampton Planning Department, Management-Management Entity, NH DOS-NH Department of Safety, NH DRED-NH Department of Resources and Economic Development, NH DOS – NH Department of Safety, NH DOT – NH Department of Transportation, NH DPR-NH Division of Parks and Recreation, NH OSP-NH Office of State Planning, PDA – Pease Development Authority, Division of Ports and Harbors, Plan Board – Hampton Planning Board, REDC – Rockingham Economic Development Corporation, Seabrook – Town of Seabrook, Town-Town of Hampton, VP-Village Precinct

 

Zoning Map

          

Add business improvement district or similar management area

Plan Board, BID

  

:

    

Change the RB district to accommodate non-conforming uses

Plan Board

:

      

Zoning Incentives

          

Encourage lots to be grouped (amalgamated)

Plan Board, BID, Town

:

      

Provide open space areas within mixed-use districts

BID, HPlan

  

:

    

Establish and preserve view corridors

BID, HPlan

  

:

    

Signage

          

Rewrite the sign ordinance to minimize clutter and reduce distractions

HPlan, Plan Board

:

      

Define specific traffic routes, and provide clearly marked, large, directive signs

Town, NH DOT, BID

:

:

    

Provide interpretive signage

Town, BID

:

    

NH DES/Coastal Program/ NH Estuaries Project
           

Land Use

          

Housing

          

Enforce the building code requirements

Town

:

      

Support policies that encourage year-round residents

Town, HPlan

:

:

    

Encourage separate areas for year-round and seasonal housing

BID, HPlan

:

:

    

Visual Character

          

Establish design guidelines; ensure they are consistent and enforced

BID, HPlan

  

:

    

Establish view corridors and green spaces

Management

  

:

    

Ensure the beach is clean

NH DPR, NH Coastal Cleanup

:

:

:

NHCP

Build viewing platforms near the estuary

NH DPR

  

:

  

NH DES, NHCP

Improve the appearance of the area

NH DRED, Town

 

:

 

 

Historic Resources

          

Recognize and identify historic resources and landmarks

Hist. Comm., NH DPR

:

      

Promote utilization of historic resources

Hist. Comm., Chamber, BID

:

      

Provide a minimum of building standards

NH DPR

  

:

    

BID – Business Improvement District, Chamber – Hampton Chamber of Commerce, Hist. Comm. – Hampton Historic Commission, HPlan-Hampton Planning Department, Management-Management Entity, NHCP – NH Coastal Program, NH DES – NH Department of Environmental Services, NH DRED-NH Department of Resources and Economic Development, NH DOT – NH Department of Transportation, NH DPR-NH Division of Parks and Recreation, Plan Board – Hampton Planning Board, Town -Town of Hampton

 

Transportation

          

Roads

          

Close off portions of Ocean Boulevard

NH DOT, NH DPR, RPC, MPO

  

:

:

  

Provide geometric and safety improvements

NH DOT, NH DPR, RPC, HPW

:

    

NH DOT

Reconstruct Ashworth Avenue

NHDOT, HPW, NH DPR

  

:

:

NH DOT, TEA-21

Improve/standardize signage

NH DPR, NH DOT

:

    

TEA-21, NH DOT

Replace Hampton River Bridge with a higher, 4-lane bridge

NH DOT, NH DPR, RPC, MPO

  

:

  

NH DOT

Parking

          

Support parking needs with a structure at an appropriate location

NH DOT, NH DPR, Town

    

:

  

Allow common driveways between homes

Plan Board

:

      

Implement driveway ordinance to require natural fencing between driveways

Plan Board, Town Council

:

      

Establish a trolley system between State Park lot and the Boulevard

NH DPR, BID, NHDOT

        

Establish a remote parking lot and appropriate shuttle bus service

BID, NH DOT, Chamber

  

:

  

TEA-21

Encourage parking at the State Park parking lot

BID, NH DPR

:

      

Use Brown Ave. to exit Town parking lot

HPD, Town

:

      

Improve pedestrian connections to parking areas

BID, NH DPR

:

:

    

Alternative Transportation Modes

          

Install bicycles racks at strategic locations

NH DPR, Town

      

NH OSP

Improve accessibility for bicycles and pedestrians

NH DPR, BID

  

:

    

Improve conditions of sidewalks

Town, HPW

:

    

NH DOT

Improve or expand transit service

NH DOT, NH DRED

:

      

Safety

          

Provide safer routes for pedestrian, bicycles, and skateboarders

HPD, BID

:

      
           

The Economy and Tourism

          

Extend events and attractions to the shoulder and off-seasons

BID, Chamber, NH DPR

  

:

:

  

Create more opportunities to start or relocate professional businesses

BID, REDC, Plan Board

  

:

  

REDC

Encourage the development of different types of housing

BID

  

:

    

Promote year-round residency

BID, Town

  

:

    

Encourage construction and/or reinvestment of lodging properties

BID

:

      

Establish an off-season business plan

BID

  

:

  

REDC

Identify attractive themes and building designs

BID, NH DPR

:

      

Establish agreements for year-round state and town services

BID, NH DPR

:

      

Add variety to existing events and promote off-season events

NH DRED

  

:

    

BID – Business Improvement District, Chamber – Hampton Chamber of Commerce, HPD – Hampton Police Department, HPW – Hampton Public Works, MPO – Metropolitan Planning Organization, NH DRED-NH Department of Resources and Economic Development, NH DPR-NH Division of Parks and Recreation, NH DOT – NH Department of Transportation, NH OSP-NH Office of State Planning, Plan Board – Hampton Planning Board, REDC – Rockingham Economic Development Corporation, TEA-21 – US DOT Transportation Enhancement Act, Town-Town of Hampton.

 

Environment and Open Space

          

Regulatory

          

Update land use reg’s to reduce environmental impacts of development

Plan Board

:

      

Adopt Model Stormwater Management and Erosion Control Regulation

Plan Board

:

      

Amend Subdivision and Site Plan Review Regulations to include reference to the Stormwater Management and Erosion and Sediment Control Handbook for Urban and Developing Areas of New Hampshire

Plan Board

:

      

Enhance monitoring of development activity

CEO, NH DES

:

:

:

NH DES, NH OSP

Continue to require conservation easements on development projects

ConCom

:

:

:

  

Enforce ordinance that requires developers to provide specific structural and maintenance measures

Plan Board

  

:

    

Non-Regulatory

          

Seek local, state and federal funding for open space acquisition. Acquire upland properties that have high natural value through easement or purchase

HPlan, ConCom

:

:

:

Current use penalty, LCHIP, SPNHF, TNC, WCF, NH CP

Establish program to minimize jet ski damage to the estuary

NH DOS

  

:

    

Continue with the State’s shellfish restoration project

NH DES, NH FG

:

:

:

NH DES

Control invasive species in the marsh by improving tidal flow

NH DRED, NH DES

:

    

NH CP

Provide educational programs and activities

NH Audubon, Tuck Museum, Seacoast Science Center, Seabrook Aquaculture Museum

  

:

  

NH EP

Develop Dune Management Plan to protect and stabilize dunes

NH DES, NH DRED

:

:

  

NH CP, NH EP

Stormwater, Flood, and Drainage

          

Implement the recommendations of the Town’s Hazard Mitigation Plan

Selectmen, Plan Board, HPW

:

:

  

Private, local, NH EMA (FEMA)

Adopt a stronger Floodplain Management Ordinance

Plan Board, Selectmen

:

      

Help landowners with repetitive property losses

Plan Board, Selectmen

:

:

:

NH EMA

Address stormwater and flooding at the State Park parking lot

NH DPR, NH DES

:

      

Clean and maintain stormwater, parking lot, and street infrastructure

HPW, private property owners

:

:

:

  

Implement stormwater improvement project at the town parking facility on Ashworth Avenue

Town, HPW

:

    

Town, NH EMA, NHCP, NHDES

Inform the community about impacts of sea-level rise

HPlan

:

    

FEMA, NH DES

Seek state support to monitor shoreline changes

HPlan, NH DPR

:

    

NH DES

Identify more stringent flood and storm protection methods and alternatives to protect from sea-level rise impacts

HPlan, FEMA, Plan Board, ConCom

:

    

FEMA, NH DES

ConCom – Hampton Conservation Commission, CEO-Hampton Code Enforcement Officer, FEMA – Federal Emergency Management Agency, HPlan – Hampton Planning Department, HPW – Hampton Public Works, NH CP – NH Coastal Program, NH DES – NH Department of Environmental Services, NH DOS – NH Department of Safety, NH DRED-NH Department of Resources and Economic Development, NH DPR-NH Division of Parks and Recreation, NH DOT – NH Department of Transportation, NH EMA – NH Emergency Management Agency, NH EP – NH Estuaries Project, NH FG – NH Fish and Game, Plan Board – Hampton Planning Board, Selectmen – Hampton Board of Selectmen, Town-Town of Hampton.

Amenities

          

Provide interpretive and directive signage

NH DPR

:

      

Link the State Park and the State Marina with a walking and bicycle path

NH DPR, Town

  

:

  

TEA-21, NH DOT

Infrastructure

          

State Park

          

Redesign the boulevard to make Seashell Stage areas the "center piece" of the beach and add several pavilions along the boulevard

NH DRED, BID

  

:

  

NH DRED

Establish non-vehicle, pedestrian areas on parts of Ocean Boulevard during the high season

NH DPR, VP, NH DOT

  

:

    

Provide additional restrooms and trash receptacles in North Beach and Hampton Beach

NH DPR

:

:

    

Provide more sitting and viewing areas along the boardwalk

NH DPR

  

:

  

NH DRED, NH Scenic Byways

Reconfigure State park parking lot to accommodate more RVs and cars

NH DRED, NH DPR

  

:

    

Provide a gateway information center at the State Park parking lot

NH DRED

  

:

    

Hampton Harbor and the Hampton State Marina

          

Establish a capital investment strategy for the fixed assets of the state marina

NH DRED

:

:

  

State capital plan, NH DRED

Maintain the 6’ depth of the channel and mooring field

PDA

  

:

:

NH DOT

Support development of more vessel storage capacity for summer users

Private marinas, PDA

  

:

  

Private, PDA

Water System

          

Begin water-efficiency program for targeted areas of Hampton Beach

HWWC, Town

:

    

NH DES

Improve water supply on Ocean Boulevard

HWWC, BID

  

:

    

Continue implementation of a water supply management program

Town, HWWC

  

:

    

Establish a program that helps property owners install new low-flow water fixtures to reduce demand

HWWC, Town

  

:

    

Address potential of connections with other municipal systems

HWWC, RPC

:

      

Wastewater System

          

Implement a wastewater management program

HPW

  

:

    

Improve mapping of existing system

HPW, HPlan

:

      

Utilities

          

Arrange for improved telecommunications service for cell phones

Town, RPC

  

:

    

Install underground electric service along the main beach entrances

HPW, NH DOT, NH DRED

    

:

  

Ensure gas capacity needs are met and linked with development, and gas lines are properly mapped

Town, Baystate Gas

    

:

  

BID – Business Improvement District, HPlan – Hampton Planning Department, HPW – Hampton Public Works, HWWC – Hampton Waterworks Company, NH DES – NH Department of Environmental Services, NH DRED-NH Department of Resources and Economic Development, NH DPR-NH Division of Parks and Recreation, NH DOT – NH Department of Transportation, PDA – Pease Development Authority: Division of Ports and Harbors, RPC – Rockingham Planning Commission, TEA-21 – US DOT Transportation Enhancement Act, Town-Town of Hampton, VP – Village Precinct.

Police

          

Continue with proposed new police station at Town parking lot

HPD

:

      

Improve signage for police services and public awareness

HPD, Sign Com, NH DOS

:

      

Provide safer methods for pedestrian crossings

HPD, HPW, NH DOT

:

      

Ensure continuation of adequate police protection

HPD

:

:

:

  

Fire

          

Support funds for a new fire station

Town, BID

  

:

    

Ensure adequate fire vehicle access

BID

:

      

Upgrade building code requirements for fire safety

BID, HCEO

  

:

  

FEMA

Ensure that there is adequate fire and medical protection

BID

:

:

:

  

Ensure all plumbing fixtures use water-efficient technologies

HPW, HWWC

  

:

    
           

BID – Business Improvement District, HCEO-Hampton Code Enforcement Officer, HPD – Hampton Police Department, HPW – Hampton Public Works, HWWC – Hampton Waterworks Company, NH DPR-NH Division of Parks and Recreation, NH DOS – NH Department of Safety, NH DOT – NH Department of Transportation, Town-Town of Hampton.

 

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