Historic District Expansion

Under the proposed new Zoning Ordinance - Section X - the historic district will be expanded to include more of the gateways to the city. On Islington St. the expansion will be from Dover St. down to Bartlett St. On Middle St. the expansion will be from Orchard St. to South St.

The Advocates will attend the December 7th City Council meeting to express our thoughts about this expansion.

Let us know your thougths by voting in the column to the right.

Look at the new historic district map.

Some may remember the Portsmouth Advocates felt the gateways were so important that they fought and stopped the expansion of Dunkin Donuts on Islington St. Coming into town the streetscape before Bartlett St. would give one the impression of being in "anywhere USA." After Bartlett one definitely has the feeling of approaching a New England community.

From the Portsmouth Herald -

"The Historic District Commission recommended, and the Planning Board agreed, to expanding the district farther down Islington Street and Middle Street in an attempt to preserve the historic character of two major corridors leading downtown. The proposal includes adding 33 more parcels along Islington, from Dover Street to Bartlett Street and from Union Street to Jewell Court; and 14 more parcels along Middle Street from Middle Road to South Street. Although the district will be lengthened, there will be 44 parcels off Middle Street side roads that will be removed from the district. The Historic District Commission felt it should eliminate the requirements from properties that do not have frontage on the corridor."