I. Major Themes:

A. Affordable Living. Affordable housing in Portsmouth needs attention.

None of us want to see Portsmouth become a city that is exclusively for the rich. We believe that it takes all kinds of people to be a great city: old folks, young folks, professionals, craftsmen, teachers, artists, city workers and people from different backgrounds and cultures. We believe that a diverse mix of residents is what makes Portsmouth lively, interesting and a joy to be part of. We worry that high taxes and real estate prices are forcing people out of Portsmouth or discouraging them from moving here. We are particularly concerned about long time residents and retirees who are faced with the cruel reality of being forced from the homes and community they love.

B. Transportation and Circulation. Part of downtown Portsmouth's charm is how it may be enjoyed from a park bench, a sidewalk, an outdoor café; how closely linked many interesting shops, boutiques, restaurants, churches, businesses, theaters, parks, and the waterfront are; how pleasant it is to walk, jog, or bike our streets. These are all important factors in why we have a vibrant downtown. That being said, we believe that more can be done to achieve these distinct, and sometimes opposing, ends:

1. encourage pedestrian and other non-automobile transport by decreasing fast moving traffic in the downtown area

2. improve accessibility to the downtown area for downtown residents, patrons, businessmen, workers/tourists

3. enhance downtown Portsmouth's attractive outdoor scene

C. Waterfront. More than any other single attribute, we believe the waterfront and the marine environment define our city. In light of news of possible development along the waterfront, we worry about how unchecked development will change the waterfront scenes we have come to cherish. Part of what we enjoy about Portsmouth is how the views of the waterfront are accessible to the public, not just private land owners. We also cherish the idea of having an environment which not only is aesthetically pleasing, but also nurtures marine life. It's hard to imagine that we are achieving this goal when our city does not comply with the EPA's regulations on effluent discharge.

II. Significant Disagreements

Affordable Housing. We disagreed on how to solve the housing problem. We all understand what a complex problem it is to create/maintain affordable housing in a city like Portsmouth. One person's solution quickly becomes another person's problem. Some of our group want to see the problem solved by increasing the supply of homes to decrease the prices. However, more homes means more children, which means more tax burden for relatively little tax revenue gained, a situation which is not tolerable to some others in our group. Conversely, some want to see the problem solved by increasing commercial development to broaden the tax base. However, more commercial development means more traffic and demands upon local infrastructure, resources, and services, a situation which is not tolerable to others in the group.

III. Specific Conclusions and Recommendations:

A. Affordable Housing

1. Take a more conservative and balanced approach to future growth. Plan the development and redevelopment of land such that both affordable housing and tax revenues are increased.

2. Make more efficient use of existing buildings in Portsmouth, such as vacant school buildings, that could be renovated for lower cost housing.

3. As properties adjacent to downtown become available, the city should approve mixed-use buildings consistent with downtown-retail, office space and housing in the same building.

4. Work with surrounding communities and governments to find regional solutions to the affordable housing problem.

5. Form an affordable housing task force to explore solutions.

B. Transportation/Circulation

1. Continue to improve sidewalks and enhance access by wheel chairs and strollers.

2. Create bike paths and bike lanes.

3. Evaluate the possibility of building parking garages at the sites of the Parade Mall and Vaughn Mall parking lots.

4. Evaluate raising parking garage rates while issuing residents parking stickers which would allow residents a discount.

5. Encourage more outdoor restaurant seating/services by relaxing current regulations.

6. Encourage the return of stores (drug stores, convenience stores) which sell commonly used items and services so that more people can shop without driving.

7. Evaluate the possibility of using smaller public transport vehicles such as vans instead of full size buses.

8. Encourage alternate means of transportation such as bicycles, mopeds, etc. by providing more bike racks and two-wheel designated parking spots throughout town.

9. Consider closing down some downtown streets on weekends and evenings to create a safer, quieter and more enjoyable pedestrian experience.

10. Install more benches throughout the city so pedestrians have a place to sit and rest.

11. Open public rest room facilities downtown.

C. Waterfront

1. Increase public ownership of the waterfront.

2. Protect and enhance our waterfront parks.

3. Protect and enhance our access to the waterfront.

4. Protect and enhance our views to the waterfront.

5. Protect and preserve our bogs, wetlands, marshes, rivers and tidal ponds.

6. Make improved sewage treatment a priority. Comply with EPA regulations.

7. Explore taking control of the State Pier to ensure better utilization.

8. Protect access to the water for commercial fishermen, and assist in the efforts to keep fishing a healthy industry in our city without depleting fishing stocks or otherwise endangering the environment.

9. Appoint a committee to focus on all of the issues which affect our waterfront and marine environment.