ARTICLE 2. ZONING DISTRICTS
2.1 Establishment of Districts and Official Zoning Map
For the purpose of this ordinance, the town is hereby divided into the following districts or zones (See Appendix I for description) and as shown on the official zoning map (See Appendix II) which, with all explanatory information thereon, is made part of this ordinance and incorporated herein by reference. Changes to this ordinance or zoning map shall only be made in accordance with Section 2.3.
2.1.1 Natural Resource Residential - This zone has a diversity of both suitable and unsuitable lands for varied development. More freedom of design is
allowed, while protecting land values and sensitive environmental features, and
while permitting most useful activities.
2.1.2 Limited Residential - This zone allows varying density of dwellings
according to land quality, space for development, and public sewer and roads. It
allows for construction of residences for all income levels, and supporting or
compatible uses. This is considered a transition zone between more highly
developed areas and areas requiring or having less intensive development.
2.1.3 Single Family Residential - This zone has suitable land and existing
development. Uses are restricted to those that are compatible with the existing
development, and will not diminish property values and the quality of life.
2.1.4 Resort Commercial - This zone provides land for tourism, supporting
services, and residential use.
2.1.5 Professional Commercial - This zone is for professional offices,
blending with low intensity commercial and limited residential use.
2.1.6 Commercial - This area is for major commercial activities which are clustered to permit better land use and traffic control in areas with existing development.
2.1.7 Industrial - This zone allows light and medium industries, with least impact on residential uses and the Town's rural atmosphere. Those areas can be served by public utilities, are near major roads, and have some land with few physical restrictions.
2.1.8 Island Residential - This zone includes property not connected to the mainland by a bridge, and has a diversity of both suitable and unsuitable lands for development. The uses are restricted to those that are compatible with the type of land, while protecting land values and are sensitive to environmental features subject to specific limitations as defined in Article 5, Section 5.2.1.
2.2 Special Districts
2.2.1 Historic District - This overlay zone controls the development characteristics of all zones over which it is imposed. The development of this area is subject to both the Planning Board and the Historic District Commission as defined in Article 14 and Section 5.2.2.
2.2.2 Wetlands District - Lands that have significant wetlands, or are in an officially designated flood plain, may be subject to special limitations as defined in Article 15 and Section 5.2.3.
2.2.3 Airport District - The area identified in the Airport Master Plan as being within the LDN 65 noise contour line may have special restrictions to ensure that development is compatible with airport expansion and use plans. Businesses and industries associated with aviation, or having need for airport use, will be encouraged as described in Section 5.2.4.
2.2.4 Island And Waterfront District - All islands and shorefront land on major waterbodies and streams may be subject to special setback, density, and backland development restrictions as defined in Section 5.2.1.
2.2.5 Community Character Protection District - This is an overlay district with a purpose to provide for harmonious and compatible development of buildings with the rural character of Gilford, by regulating the design and aesthetic quality of structures built to contain land uses allowed by this ordinance and the land on which such uses are sited. The following zoning districts shall be included in and shall comprise the Community Character Protection District: Resort Commercial District; Commercial District, and Professional Commercial District. All site development and buildings in this district shall be in compliance with Article 17, Architectural Design Standards.
2.2.6 Business Park District - This special district applies to the area included within the boundaries of the Lakes Business Park,
Phase II. The development of this area is subject to Planning Board review according to the standard regulations of the underlying
zone and the special regulations set forth in Section 5.2.5, Business Park District.
2.3 Zoning Amendment Procedure
2.3.1 Recommendations - The Planning Board, or individuals by petition in accordance with RSA 675:4, may recommend amendments to this zoning ordinance. Such petition-initiated amendments shall be reviewed by the Planning Board, which shall make a recommendation to the Town on the advisability of the amendment.
2.3.2 Public Hearings - Proposed amendments shall receive public hearings according to RSA 675:3. Each hearing may consider more than one amendment.
2.3.3 Town Meeting Action - This ordinance may be amended by a majority vote of any legal town meeting after public hearings and publication according to this ordinance and RSA 675:3. All such amendments become effective upon passage unless otherwise designated.
2.4 Interpretation of Zoning District Boundaries
Unless otherwise indicated on the Zoning Map, the zoning district boundary lines are the center lines of roads and other public ways. Where zoning district boundaries are so indicated that they parallel the center lines of roads and other public ways, such boundaries shall be interpreted as parallel thereto and at the distance from the road as shown on the zoning map. If no distance is given, such distance shall be three hundred (300) feet from the right-of-way line.
2.4.1 Lots In Two Zoning Districts - Where the boundary line of a zoning district divides a lot at the time of passage of this ordinance, the regulations of either district may at the option of the owner extend not more than two hundred (200) feet on one lot into the other zoning district, except that a PUD or multi-family development may not be extended into any other zone.
2.5 Rezoning
2.5.1 Town Meeting, March 12, 1996 – Map 223, Lot 586; part of Map 223, Lots 590 and 592; Map 224, Lots 008 and 009, which area is located between Route 11B and Laconia Airport, have been rezoned from Industrial District to Resort Commercial District by act of Town Meeting on March 12, 1996, in response to a citizen petition duly submitted.
2.5.2 Town Meeting, March 11, 1997 – Map 254, Lots 92, 93, 94, 95, 132, 133, 135, and 136, which area is located between Cherry Valley Road (Route 11A) and Area Road and the Belknap County Recreation Area (Gunstock Ski Area), have been rezoned from Limited Residential District to Resort Commercial District by act of Town Meeting on March 11, 1997, in response to a citizen petition duly submitted.
2.5.3 Town Meeting, March 10, 1998 – Amend the Official Zoning Map in the area of Blaisdell Avenue to see if the Town of Gilford will vote to amend the official zoning map of Gilford by adjusting zoning boundaries in the Blaisdell Avenue Area to extend the existing Commercial District to include Lot #201-026 in its entirety, change Lots #201-028, #201-029 from the Commercial District to the Industrial District, change Lot #201-030 from a combination of Commercial and Limited Residential Districts to entirely Industrial District, change Lot #201-031 from the Commercial District to Limited Residential District and change Lot #202-003 in part from the Commercial District to Limited Residential District.
2.5.4 Town Meeting, March 9, 2004 – Amend the Official Zoning Map of the Town of Gilford as requested by John and Sandra Rock, owners of the Arlberg Ski and Sports Shop at 720 Cherry Valley Road, Gilford, NH, to change the zoning for said location from the current LR (Limited Residential) and NRR (Natural Resources Residential) zones to the RC (Resort Commercial) zone. The property is tax map and lot number 254-073.000.
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