Route 33 Heritage District

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.

What's New?

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.

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 at planning@strathamnh.gov or via the contact information listed below.

Resources:

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.

Portsmouth Avenue Historic Inventory

February 2022 Route 33 Heritage District Objectives and FAQ

Visualize Route 33: Historic Preservation & Adaptive Reuse Projects

Staff Contacts

Name Phone
Mark Connors 603-772-7391 ext.147

Route 33 Heritage Advisory Committee Members

NameTitleTerm Expires
Alex Dardinski

Chair

2025

Tom House

Member

2025

Jeff Hyland

Member

2024