Aldermen to vote on ordinance that would exclude city from needing a special exception from zoning board to put up electronic signs

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NASHUA, NH – The Board of Aldermen will vote on an ordinance that would exclude the city from needing a special exception from the zoning board to put up electronic signs. 

Last year, an ordinance prohibiting electronic messaging signs in any residential zone was amended to permit such signs related to government use in every zoning district through a special exception by the zoning board. 

New Hampshire state law allows municipalities to exempt themselves from zoning ordinances, but Nashua had previously chosen not to. 

The planning and economic development committee had voted to indefinitely postpone the ordinance (O-24-037) after discussion. 

Alderman Richard Dowd – who endorses the ordinance along with Alderman-at-Large Michael O’Brien – says that the ordinance would allow for signs that would disseminate information to the public. He explained that the ordinance would allow for signs at municipal priorities in select locations and would still have to go through the planning department. 

Alderman Jette said he was “adamantly opposed” to the ordinance. He noted an instance about a year ago where the Department of Public Works (DPW) applied for a special exception for an electronic messaging sign in front of the new DPW building, and was denied by the Zoning Board after many testified against it. 

He said he then heard from the mayor that the director of DPW asked Alderman Dowd to come forward with legislation that would allow for the sign. 

Some on the board questioned the influence the DPW sign situation had on the ordinance.

Alderman Tyler Gouveia was also against the legislation. 

“What this does is it removes a step of bureaucracy for the municipality that we set forward for everyone else to go through,” he said. “Why does the city get special treatment on the process they created?”

While not on the committee, Alderman Tim Sennott felt similarly. 

“I’m not a fan of ‘rules for thee but not for me’,” he said. 

Not all aldermen were against the ordinance. Alderman Derek Thibeault said he supports the ordinance as he feels it would be good for the public well being. 

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