Mullen Running For Hampton Planning Board

By Sharon Mullen

HAMPTON, NH — I am Sharon Mullen and I am running for reelection to the Hampton Planning Board.

Why elect Mullen?

I want to make Hampton more resilient and affordable while maintaining its character and beauty.

When reelected, I will seek to improve affordability by pushing to attract businesses to the right locations, expanding our tax base and reducing the tax burden on homeowners; making more housing options possible so those seeking to downsize, those buying their first home, and our fantastic teachers and cops can find what they need here in Hampton; and planning and zoning decisions that reduce risk to help keep property insurance available and affordable.

I am already working on these issues. Examples of my actions as Planning Board Chair include adding presentations on high tides and permeable surfaces, discussions about sea level rise on the coast and drought in the forested areas west of 95 that lack fire hydrants, presentations by our state legislators, and solar guidance to our agendas.

I am not challenging regulations that define high tide, but want to make information more available about how king tides and storms will impact property. You may use the information as you choose, but I’d hate for someone to think they are safe developing to the observable high tide line and then be flooded out in a king tide.

Permeable surfaces let water sink into the ground. They are often required by the Planning or Zoning Board to keep water that flows off your roof, driveway or patio from impacting neighbors. They require professional maintenance every year. I am not challenging this great remedy, but I want to make information more available on their continued maintenance when you are planning to develop or expand your property, so you aren’t surprised later.

A resilient energy system matters. I encouraged the Town to participate in a free program to advise on zoning and permitting guidelines for residential and larger scale solar energy. We start later this month. This can ultimately help improve our resilience and lower energy costs for everyone by deferring construction of new power plants.

Housing and childcare are priorities for the governor and legislature. To better understand how state bills may impact Hampton’s land use should they become law, I have planned recurring presentations and discussions with our state legislators starting in the spring.

What Does a Planning Board Do?

Some expect more of the Planning Board than it is permitted to do. The State assigns planning boards three main roles: planning, including updating the Master Plan; regulation, including hearings on development and other applications; and legislation, including zoning amendments for voters to approve at Town Meeting.

Some have asked about the Master Plan. It is an advisory document that guides land use and related policy decisions. State law requires planning boards to update and approve these plans. Hampton residents, business owners, elected and appointed board and committee members, and Town staff devoted thousands of hours to updating Hampton’s Master Plan in 2020-23, creating a winning Plan to guide Hampton for a decade.

Hampton’s zoning was a hodgepodge developed over many decades. We are completing a reorganization that will put the regulations in a logical order with clickable links that will be worlds easier to use. We hope to engage a consultant to create a document that anyone can use, with illustrations and definitions making it easy to follow.

Good planning smooths the way for future development we desire, but we rely on developers, property owners and businesses to do what we planned for. Our current environment of high costs and interest rates is challenging for everyone.

Mullen’s Background

I grew up in Dover, graduated from UNH, earned a Masters in History from Tufts and my MBA from the University of Florida. I moved to Hampton in 1998 and raised my daughter here, sending her to Center and Marston schools before my family moved to Florida for work. I was very active in the schools, served on the Heritage Commission, the Families First Board of Directors, and as a guardian ad litem for CASA. I owned a product development company and was an e-commerce pioneer.

Fast forward to March 2020 when Covid closed my office and had everyone working from their kitchen tables. My husband and I were free to move anywhere with internet. The choice was easy. We found a home and moved back to Hampton that July. I am a small business owner, consulting in energy with a focus on efficiency and effectiveness, which often means squeezing every dollar to get the most bang for your buck.

Please vote Sharon Mullen for Planning Board on March 11. Thank you for your consideration.

Sharon Mullen lives in Hampton.