New London, New Hampshire Master Plan Adopted by New London Planning Board December 27, 2011 Prepared By: Town of New London Planning Board and Kenneth B. McWilliams & Associates with assistance from: Upper Valley Lake Sunapee Regional Planning Commission Table of Contents Master Plan Adoption Statement .................................................................................................. 1 I. Introduction to the Master Plan .............................................................................................. 2 Purpose ................................................................................................................................ 2 Overall Growth Policy for New London ................................................................................ 2 Process Used to Update the Master Plan ............................................................................ 2 Summary of Community Survey .......................................................................................... 3 Interlinking Chapters of the Master Plan .............................................................................. 3 Accomplishments Since Adoption of the 1998 Master Plan ................................................. 3 II. A Vision for the Future ........................................................................................................... 6 The Past and Present .......................................................................................................... 6 A Vision for the Future ......................................................................................................... 6 Description of Planning Terms ............................................................................................. 7 III. A Vision for Land Use ............................................................................................................ 9 Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 9 Historic Population and Land Use Patterns ......................................................................... 9 Future Development Considerations .................................................................................. 15 Land Use Goals ................................................................................................................. 19 Recommendations ............................................................................................................. 20 IV. Conservation & Open Space Lands .................................................................................... 21 Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 21 Goals: Conservation and Open Space Lands .................................................................... 22 Community Survey Results: Conservation and Open Space Lands .................................. 23 Land Protection .................................................................................................................. 24 Economics of Open Space Protection ............................................................................... 25 Inventory of Important Open Space ................................................................................... 25 Open Spaces Resources, Scenic Roads and Trails .......................................................... 26 Management and/or Protection: Conservation and Open Space Lands ............................ 34 Issues ................................................................................................................................. 40 Recommendations ............................................................................................................. 41 V. Watersheds and Water Resources ...................................................................................... 43 Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 43 Goals .................................................................................................................................. 43 Community Survey Results ................................................................................................ 44 Surface Water Resources .................................................................................................. 44 Groundwater Resources .................................................................................................... 54 Threats to Water Resources .............................................................................................. 57 Assessment of Growth in Demand for Water ..................................................................... 62 The Infrastructure: Water Supply and Wastewater Disposal ............................................. 62 Existing Programs and Policies Affecting New London’s Water Resources ...................... 64 Water Resources and New London’s Future ..................................................................... 67 Issues ................................................................................................................................. 71 Recommendations ............................................................................................................. 74 VI. Historic Resources .............................................................................................................. 78 Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 78 Goals .................................................................................................................................. 78 New London Master Plan – Table of Contents Page i Community Survey Results ................................................................................................ 78 Preservation Action to Date ............................................................................................... 79 Preservation and Enhancement of Historic Sites and Areas ............................................. 81 Historic Landscapes/Architectural Areas ........................................................................... 90 Issues ................................................................................................................................. 94 Recommendations ............................................................................................................. 95 VII. Community Facilities & Services ......................................................................................... 97 Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 97 Town Government Facilities and Services ......................................................................... 97 Social Services ................................................................................................................. 100 Community Safety and Emergency Facilities and Services ............................................. 103 Public Works Department ................................................................................................ 109 Tracy Memorial Library .................................................................................................... 114 New London Recreation Department ............................................................................... 117 Cemeteries ....................................................................................................................... 122 Kearsarge Regional School District ................................................................................. 124 VIII. Population .......................................................................................................................... 128 Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 128 Historic Trends ................................................................................................................. 128 Regional Population and Demographic Comparisons ..................................................... 131 Detailed Demographic Analysis ....................................................................................... 134 Population Forecasts ....................................................................................................... 145 Summary of Population Trends ........................................................................................ 148 IX. Housing ............................................................................................................................. 151 Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 151 Community Survey Results .............................................................................................. 151 Housing Goals .................................................................................................................. 154 Description of Housing Characteristics ............................................................................ 154 Housing Occupancy ........................................................................................................