Representing the largest concentration of historically significant properties in Stratham, the Route 33 section of Portsmouth Avenue is a vital part of our community. Recognizing the value of the corridor and its importance to Stratham, the Town is focused on encouraging historic preservation and private investment. The Route 33 Heritage District Advisory Committee consists of 3 members including 1 appointee each from the Planning Board, Heritage Commission, and the Select Board.
In 2022 the adoption of the Route 33 Legacy Highway Heritage District into the Zoning Ordinance was approved by voters. This Overlay District was formed to advance recommendations from the 2019 Stratham Master Plan. In recognition of the high maintenance costs and other burdens that ownership of historic buildings entails, the former Route 33 Legacy Highway Ad-Hoc Committee recommended more flexibility in the re-use and re-purposing of properties in exchange for enhanced architectural and dimensional standards in the Route 33 Legacy Highway Ad-Hoc Committee Final Report.
Regular meetings shall be held monthly, on the second Wednesday of the month beginning at 6:00 PM., unless no applications have been received, then the meeting may be cancelled with the approval of the Chair. If necessary, an additional regular meeting, site walk, or workshop may be held. Any additional meeting shall be scheduled at the discretion of the Chair.
The Route 33 Heritage District Advisory Committee reviews projects in the District and provides recommendations related to site design and architectural characteristics to the Planning Board. The Committee can also provide recommendations on waivers, advise if an application meets the Conditional Use Permit criteria of the Zoning Ordinance, and recommend to the Planning Board final action on applications including approval, denial, or conditional approval.
For assistance with any projects planned in the Route 33 Legacy Highway Heritage District, please contact the Stratham Planning Department.
Learn more about Stratham's historically significant properties, the Town's goals for the Heritage District with answers to frequently asked questions, and see examples of historic preservation projects in other towns at the links below.
| First Name | Last Name | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Vanessa | Price | Director of Planning & Building |
| Name | Title | Term Expires |
|---|---|---|
| Alex Dardinski | Chair | 2025 |
| Tom House | Member/Planning Board Rep | 2025 |
| Jeff Hyland | Member | 2024 |