Nashua Today:
Land Use and
Development
Imagine Nashua seeks to develop
predictable, transparent, and
adaptable land use policies that
the city can use for many years to
come. Directing targeted and well-
regulated redevelopment in prime
locations in Nashua will allow for a
more streamlined planning process
focused on advancing economic
growth and generating community
benefits, while protecting and
preserving the city’s established
neighborhoods.
The actions and recommendations
generated from this master plan
will be used to inform land-use
code updates—regulations that
determine what, where, and how
redevelopment or development
can take place in the city. While
land use policy is an important
tool for comprehensive planning,
it must be coordinated well with
other citywide initiatives, policies
and capital investments, and
also be adaptable to change. The
COVID-19 pandemic has already
shown to be an unexpected long-
term crisis, which prompted
the city to adapt to and rethink
planning elements related to
public spaces and work spaces.
Nashua must be resilient, and
continue to plan ahead and think
on its feet, and advance its land-
use rules and regulations to allow
the city’s urban form to evolve and
respond to important changes as
they come—including how and
where people choose to live and
work, shifting demographics and
living needs, changing mobility
needs, and so on.
In addition to planning for where
and what type of development we
want to see in the city, Imagine
Nashua places thoughtful planning
into the urban form and design
of areas—shaping how buildings,
streets, parks, and infrastructure
landscapes come together to
sustain future living and foster a
sense of place.
The following pages give a
snapshot of existing conditions,
issues, and opportunities related
to land use and development in
Nashua today.
Kierso
Temporary jersey barriers set up to
accomodate outdoor seating on Main St
Comprehensive Master Plan
Land Use and Development
Adapting to the COVID-19
environment
Responding to the COVID-19
pandemic and social
Cal Ksuclploal arom aceon Ul nea n ate Vanes Pana a Tey
City closed a travel lane on
each side of Main Street to
give restaurants and other
businesses aditional space
for customers. The move
allowed many businesses
and restaurants to continue
operating, and transformed
parts of Main Street into
avery inviting Downtown
environment. As a result,
the Imagine Nashua Master
Plan studied ways in which
iMANKMARCUAICOLMAAT=Na Lola Mee Le] cal
become a more permanent
aspect of the city and suggests
additional future public realm
improvements on Main St.
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