The City of Concord has two pressing issues. First is the shortage of housing and second is the need for additional tax revenue. The purchase of the former Camp Spaulding from WaypointNH by NHScots will affect both of these goals negatively. Camp Spaulding closed and is under contract to be sold to NHScot by WaypointNH. Camp Spaulding was zoned residential with a variance granted to run a summer camp on the property. Once the summer camp closed the variance lapsed and the property was removed from the tax exempt role and placed on residential property tax rates. NHScot plans to turn Camp Spaulding into an event center featuring an amphitheater, offices and parking for hundreds of cars. No residential housing will be built.
They will apply for a tax exempt status on the property and for zoning changes and/or variances. Currently single family housing could be built on the property without any need for zoning changes or variances. Changing the property to an event center will remove the possibility of badly needed housing being built there and result in less tax revenue than residential housing. This goes against the goals of generating new housing and tax revenue. Concord is in crisis and needs every bit of housing it can get. Show Concord City government you want an all hands on deck approach to the housing crisis. Ask city officials and politicians to keep Camp Spaulding residential so more residential housing can be built there.
Edward Smith
Concord