A planning committee of local and regional stakeholders has been preparing for over a year to conduct a planning session known as a Design Charrette to analyze the potential future uses for the Hillsborough County property in Goffstown.  The site, currently includes many brick structures that house county departments and facilities including the Nursing Home, Sheriff, Commissioners offices, Cooperative Extension and the Goffstown District Court. Additionally, there are many underutilized structures all on approximately 485 acres of fields and forest. The property is bisected by state Rt. 114, the Piscataquog River and the Goffstown Rail Trail. 

The Design Team of land use professionals will make use of several relevant studies and documents including a 2007 wetland inventory commissioned by the county, the Goffstown Master Plan and Update, Rt 114 Corridor Study, Open Space Conservation Plan, 2004 Rail Trail Charrette and Piscataquog Land Conservancy Conservation Plan as well as aerial and satellite photos and topographical maps.  These materials will all be available at the Charrette. You may also view many of these materials by accessing the UNH Cooperative Extension Website for Hillsborough County at www.extension.unh.edu and clicking counties, Hillsborough, News & Publications and Hillsborough County Master Plan Wiki. 

On Saturday October 3, from 8AM to 12 noon, there will be a Community & Regional Stakeholder Meeting to consider future development, conservation and preservation options for the land.  That evening, from 6PM to 9PM a presentation will be made by the Design Team that reflect stakeholder input and the previously mentioned planning documents. Dinner will be provided.  The purpose of the charrette is to assist the Board of Commissioners in developing short and long range planning concepts for the property that insure the County’s space needs will be met and define any development and preservation objectives that are in the County’s interest. 

Please RSVP your interest in participating to Holly McKinney @ 641-6060 or e-mail her at Holly.mckinney@unh.edu.