News – Politics – Opinion – Podcasts
We have been meaning to write about this for some time: One of the most ardent proponents of replacing local zoning with a one-size fits all Statewide zoning code, State Representative Ross Berry (better known on X (twitter) as RINO-Russ Barry), took umbrage at Representative Turcotte’s description of the push to supersede local zoning with … Read more
Turning Family Zoned Neighborhoods Into Strip Malls In 2025, the New Hampshire Republican “crazy-caucus,” with Democrat support, gutted the ability of cities/towns to maintain single-family zoned neighborhoods. For example, a State law (House Bill 457) was passed that allows houses in single-family-zoned neighborhoods to be converted into boarding houses. As a result, Blackstone or some … Read more
Now that many towns have held their March meetings, I am seeing posts from shocked taxpayers who wonder how anyone could have voted to take away their right to live in a single-family-zoned neighborhood. Well, that is interesting because we in Bedford, along with 18 or so other towns, have been warning you about this … Read more
We can’t imagine why Governor Ayotte, after promising not to ‘Mass Up New Hampshire’, signed several bills that would allow predatory developers from out of state to start soliciting homeowners in neighborhoods that were formerly zoned single-family with offers to help turn those neighborhoods into rental zones. Make no mistake, these companies are not interested … Read more
Beware of emails that you may get that look like this. This one was sent to us by one of our members. Forward the email to us and we will report it to the registrar and hosting server. Hi [recipient’s name redacted], I’m Sam, I’m representing an ADU builder in NH. I’m looking for people … Read more
The state legislature has passed several laws this year that limit the ability of towns and cities to control zoning — for example, towns must allow multifamily residential development in commercially zoned areas where infrastructure exists. HB 577 (Chapter 197, 2025) Requires towns/cities to allow either an attached or a detached accessory dwelling unit (ADU) … Read more
If “Taxation is Theft,” then “Koch-Zoning” Is Theft” as well. Regular readers know what we mean by “Koch-zoning,” but for those new to our substack a brief definition. Koch-zoning refers to a gaggle of bills passed into law earlier this year in New Hampshire that replace local control of zoning with a one-size-fits-all State zoning … Read more
With a single heated remark to a developer, a Portsmouth Planning Board member last week showed exactly how the municipal development process is broken. Developer Mark McNabb has proposed converting a property he owns on Congress Street to a 125-unit co-living apartment building. Co-living units, once common, were zoned nearly out of existence in U.S. … Read more
It has become a maxim inside the political cage match. If you want to start a fight, ask about affordable housing. The “housing Crisis,” real or imagined, was injected into the collective consciousness. Some blame boomers, others blame banks (or sinister global evils like Blackrock), as legislators dance around the fire tossing gasoline on it … Read more
Odds are good that thanks to all the “liberty” we got this past session in the wake of a slew of zoning bills, my prediction will come to pass. An increase in housing (notice I did not use the word affordable) will have limited practical improvement for some, but a significant net loss for liberty … Read more
While the uproar amongst many conservatives (all while democrats applaud) centers around many great Republican bills Governor Ayotte has vetoed, we mustn’t overlook a few bills she signed off on that force state mandates onto municipalities regarding zoning. When Kelly Ayotte ran for Governor, her catch slogan was “Let’s not Mass up NH”, a rather … Read more
Claiming that it’s part of an effort to mitigate a (non-existent) housing ‘crisis’, Governor Ayotte has signed every single housing bill that made it to her desk, including the very damaging HB577, which eradicates the right of towns to create single-family zones. We are now no better than California. Despite being sent our petition daily … Read more
It is now VERY important to contact the Governor and tell her that 1,106 people on our petition hope that she will VETO HB 577, as it would eradicate and outlaw single-family neighborhoods just like they did in California. And we all know what a disaster that was! You can call and leave a polite … Read more
In England, if you want to start a fight in a bar (or a Pub), say something nasty about the monarchy or the nearest football team. In New Hampshire, it’s housing and zoning. We’ve offered our pages to both sides with a few takers because it’s a complex issue, and there are a lot of … Read more
No, I’m not talking about the governor of California; my article is about the possibly only tool left in dealing with the madness of so many housing bills. If they materialize, it won’t be the local government, but the state (which could have a blue government at any time in the future) that must be … Read more
After years of making little progress on housing affordability, the Legislature finally is moving forward in large strides. As significant reforms near the finish line, a surge of advocacy has emerged for an old, failed method of addressing the state’s housing shortage: government subsidies. New Hampshire’s primary method of addressing housing affordability has long been … Read more
As Housing bills designed to chisel away at local decision making continue to and through their 2nd chamber of the legislature, my thoughts have returned to the skilled salesman’s mantra. Know your customer. Housing bill madness is a product presented as a solution to an imaginary crisis that’s been sold to its supporters, who range … Read more
Where’s The Liberty In That? If you want to start a fight online in the Granite State, and probably your state too, pick a side on the so-called housing-crisis debate. It might be worse than mentioning abortion at whatever passes for your watercooler. Numerous factors have made housing expensive. Some say there is an inventory … Read more
Julie Smith recently wrote a piece for Granite Grok about my white paper for AIER entitled “Unbundling Zoning.” She badly misinterpreted the paper, made false accusations, and even got the main thesis exactly backwards. Here’s the proof. Smith: “Sorens calls zoning useless, unjust, and irrational and explains why.” FALSE. These are the claims I’m responding … Read more
Hollis Dunkin Donuts is unlike other locations in many ways. It’s in a repurposed building multiple times its age, it doesn’t have the usual bright orange and pink signs and it doesn’t have a drive-thru despite it being a former site of a bank with one. While I can’t speak intelligently to the finer details … Read more