stormwater detention should follow existing hydrological patterns and drainage characteristics. Natural ‘drainage corridors’ identified throughout the Town should be protected through land purchase or conservation easement secured on private property. The potential for a Town-wide stormwater management strategy and next steps for moving forward should be explored in an update to the 1990 Water Resources Management Plan. Other important recommendations to protect water resources include: •
Embrace Light Imprint design principles for managing the impact of new growth on the natural environment, especially for minimizing the amount of impervious surface associated with new development, especially in activity centers. This will require an amendment to the Town’s site plan regulations.
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Revise local land development controls to prohibit development in the floodplain areas.
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Resume annual monitoring of the Town’s surface and ground waters, following the protocol set up by the Environmental Baseline Study Committee in 2001.
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Launch an education campaign and outreach program to let residents know about the benefits of vegetated areas for protecting surface waters.
Water & Sewer Service Londonderry will continue to depend on surrounding water and sewer utility providers to extend bulk water or sewer treatment services to new residents and businesses. The Comprehensive Master Plan assumes adequate services will be provided concurrently with the development of new activity centers, either by public investment or developer financing and construction. Town officials should coordinate with utility providers to ensure that adequate capacity is reserved for the magnitude and timing of future development anticipated in the Comprehensive Master Plan.
Town officials also should plan for the expansion of its sewer collection and interceptor system to keep up with demand. This includes regular updates to the Londonderry Wastewater Facilities Plan, and targeted capital improvements to maintain system integrity and expand service.
Energy & Fuel Supplies Heating Oil, Natural Gas, and Electricity are the primary sources of heating for Londonderry residents and businesses. Electricity is provided by Public Service of New Hampshire (PSNH). Given the cost and reliability of natural gas, there appears to be demand for expansion of infrastructure and service to new areas throughout town. Londonderry has major gas lines running northsouth through the center of town that feed the Granite Ridge electric generating plant. This plant was constructed to supply 750 MW of power, although it is currently generating well below capacity at peak times. The plant is located centrally within the Airport Industrial Area. Further, high volume gas lines provide potential for businesses that generate and utilize liquefied natural gas to fuel truck fleets or other heavy machinery. The Town should investigate mechanisms that can leverage the capacity of this facility and provide low cost energy to businesses in the area, significantly enhancing the attractiveness of the Pettengill Road area. On a more local level, the Town should encourage energy efficiency in new construction or rehabilitation projects. Efficiency principles may be included in the zoning ordinance and may include a formal review of building siting, facility design, and materials and water consumption, to name a few. The Town should encourage alternate energy improvements to existing facilities such as improving weatherization or installation of solar panels, and should investigate the implementation of LEED standards in appropriate areas, including the Londonderry Eco-Industrial Park.
Comprehensive Master Plan
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