Skip to content

2026 Holderness Master Plan Survey

Dear Holderness Community Members,

The Holderness Planning Board is working on an update of the Town's Master Plan. This Plan will guide the Town’s capital expenditures, policies and programs, and zoning amendments for years to come. Before we can start, we need to hear from you about your priorities. We hope you will help us by completing this simple survey. Every member of the household is welcome to complete their own survey.

Please respond by March 20, 2026.

The results of the survey will be posted on the Town website: www.holderness-nh.gov. Click on Master Plan Update in Citizen Action Center.

Thank you!
Holderness Planning Board
1.What is your relationship with the town of Holderness? (Please check ALL that apply.)
2.If you currently own undeveloped land in Holderness, what are your plans for it in the next ten years? (Please check ALL that apply.)
3.What do you like best about Holderness? Please list up to three positive qualities or strengths of the town.
4.What would make Holderness even better? Please list up to three issues or needs you think should be addressed in the Master Plan.
5.Will your current housing situation meet the needs of you and your family?
6.If you chose "No" or "Not sure" in Question 5, please tell us why your current housing situation may not meet your future needs.
7.In the table below, if growth occurs over the next ten years, in which areas of town do you prefer to see it? Please check ALL that apply. References to roadways refer to the general area of Holderness. It can mean along or off of, the entire length or just a portion.
Residential Growth
Business Growth
1. Exit 25 Interchange
2. Route 175 north of Holderness School toward Campton
3. Town roads in the northern portion of town such as Mount Prospect, Hardhack, Perch Pond
4. Route 175 south of Holderness School toward the Holderness Central School
5. Route 175 south of the Holderness Central School toward Route 3/25 and Little Squam Lake
6.Village area around Route 3/25 – Route 113 intersection
7. Route 113 north of the village area by Squam Lake
8. Route 3/25 west of the village by Little Squam Lake
9. Route 3/25 southeast of the village toward Center Harbor and Meredith
10. Town roads south of the village such as Shepard Hill, East Holderness, Coxboro
8.What do you see as the main barriers to developing lower cost housing in Holderness? Please check ALL that apply.
9.Would you support incentives in the Zoning Ordinance for smaller, more affordable homes, such as allowing more homes in a subdivision when the homes are relatively small? (Homes in graphic designed by Freepik)
10.The Zoning Ordinance requires structures to be set back 50 feet from all surface waters and wetlands, and for natural vegetation to be maintained in that buffer. For the Pemigewasset River, there is also an Overlay District with additional restrictions to provide a higher level of protection for water quality. For example, activities involving fertilizer, pesticides, road salt, and hazardous materials are restricted within a certain distance of the river. Should the Planning Board consider proposing some additional protections to Town Meeting for the following surface water resources?
Yes
No
Not sure
A. Year-round (perennial) brooks
B. Squam Lake
C. Little Squam Lake
D. White Oak Pond
11.Cluster development, where homes are located on smaller lots and the remaining land is conserved, is currently allowed by the Zoning Ordinance. However, it is not required or incentivized. Please check off the strongest approach you would support for using cluster development as a tool to protect more open space, important habitat and other natural resources.
12.If there are specific areas of town you would like to see conserved for uses other than development, please list or describe.
13.Are there specific facilities, improvements or services which you feel Holderness should invest more in? If so, please list up to three.
14.What have you seen in other communities that you would like to see Holderness consider?
15.Do you have other ideas for Holderness that you would like the Planning Board to consider as we update the Master Plan to guide the development of the community over the next 10 years?
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts with us!
If you run a business in Holderness and would like to be contacted by a local official to discuss ways you feel the town might improve support for local businesses, click here to provide your contact information.