Waterville Valley is a planned resort community.  Development in the valley has generally followed an original master plan that divided the town into five different zones according to the land’s natural constraints and overall design.  In order to ensure good design and planning, the town established several different codes and ordinances.  These development guidelines have managed Waterville Valley in an organized manner.  Recent amendments to the Zoning Ordinance in 2004, which established two new zone classifications of land know as “Greenbelt” and “Commercial One”, have changed the zoning designation of some of the parcels of land and have helped to augment these efforts

Waterville Valley’s land ownership pattern is unique.  The White Mountain National Forest holds 40,153 +/- acres within Waterville Valley and is thereby the largest landholder.  The U.S. Forest Services is responsible for managing this woodland area for it’s recreational and natural resources.  The Village of Waterville Valley is made up of approximately 480.4 +/- acres of natural valley floor.  Outside the village boundaries there is 279.5 +/- acres in private ownership.  The first parcel of 111.5 +/- acres borders the Town of Thornton, is on the northern side of the Mad River and is northeast of the “6 Mile Bridge”.  The second parcel of 168 +/- acres borders the Town of Sandwich and straddles the Wonalancet River.  These two remote parcels are contiguous with additional acreage in the adjoining townships and do not abut the village area of the Town of Waterville Valley.  The parcel bordering Sandwich was re-zoned from Low Density Residential Zone to Recreational Zone at the 2004 Town Meeting.  For many years, the major private landowner in the village has been the Waterville Company, Inc.  This company remains the major developer in the town and still holds approximately 161.2 +/- acres of the 410 +/- acres it once controlled.  The balance of the village is under private and municipal ownership and includes town facilities, privately owned commercial and recreational properties and private residential properties.

Existing Land Use

The Town’s land use regulations and the original Waterville Company Master Plan , as updated, have guided Waterville Valley’s development.

Presently the land within the village boundaries is zoned as follows:

99.06 acres of Lower Density Residential

96.11 acres of Higher Density Residential

97.83 acres of Village Commercial

24.91 acres of Special Civic

136.45 acres of Recreational

7.32 acres of Greenbelt

18.68 acres of Commercial One

Total developed land equals 330.4 +/- acres and there are a total of 1,409 property parcels in the Town. 

Waterville Valley’s philosophy in regards to regulations is summarized on page one of the town’s subdivision regulations “The intent of the town and its residents is to permit development within an approved master plan that will ultimately lead to the completion of a high quality thoroughly planned resort community . . . ensure that growth is orderly and controlled and in accordance with this master plan . . .”.   Because the village has nearly reached its full capacity, a summary of current regulations best describes existing land use in Waterville Valley.

Zoning

Waterville Valley’s zoning ordinance was established on March 6, 1973 and has been amended twelve (12) times since it first became law.  Waterville Valley is separated into eight (8) zoning districts, that are briefly explained below.  The entire word descriptions of the zoning districts may be found in the Town of Waterville Valley Zoning Ordinance.  Maps of zoning districts may also be found in the same document.

Lower Density Residential

This zone permits single-family residences, ski lifts, planned unit developments, and two family residential units.  The minimum lot size is ½ acre or 21,780 square feet with the maximum lot coverage being 25%.  The Maximum building height is 3 stories or 35 feet.  This development zone sets minimum standards for floor area and setbacks based on the location and use.

Higher Density Residential

This zone permits all uses specified in the lower density residential zone plus multi-family dwellings, park areas, and conference and convention facilities.  One third of any lot must be open space and not used for buildings, parking, or roads.  Open space may be used for recreation.  The maximum building height is 45 feet with some exceptions for architectural variety.  This development zone sets minimum standards for setbacks based on location and use.

Village Commercial

This zone permits all uses specified in lower and higher density residential zones plus hotels, motels, public lodging, restaurants, dormitories, offices, retail, parking, public buildings, many types of commercial establishments, utilities, and heliports.  Multi-family dwellings must dedicate one-third of a given lot to open space.  All other structures must have dedicated one-fifth of a given lot to open space.  The maximum building height is 45 feet with some exceptions for architectural variety.  This development zone sets minimum standards for setbacks based on location and use.

Commercial One

This zone, newly created in 2004, allows all of the uses and has all of the restrictions of the Village Commercial Zone.  Within the Commercial One residential use for single-family and two family dwellings is restricted. 

Recreational

All uses specified in the Recreational Zone must be directly related to recreational activities.  This zone allows for ski lifts and trails, golf courses, park and recreation areas, recreational buildings and planned unit developments.  This zone permits several different accessory uses related to recreation.  A minimum of 50% of any lot must not be covered by buildings, roads and parking. The maximum building height is 45 feet with some exceptions for architectural variety.  This development zone sets minimum standards for setbacks based on location and use.

Special Civic

This district is specifically zoned for multiple usage, and allows for certain development that may be beneficial to the town.  Any proposed development must be approved by the selectmen and planning board.  Uses in this district include schools, churches, educational institutions, theaters, public buildings and grounds, civic centers, commercial parking areas, recreational centers, ski lifts and planned unit developments.  The maximum building height is 45 feet with some exceptions for architectural variety.  A minimum of 50% shall be open space.  This zone sets minimum standards for setbacks based on location and use.

Greenbelt

 This zone was created in 2004 to regulate land hitherto not isolated from other zones nor controlled as to use, but set aside for recreation and wilderness with restricted development.  This zone is located as a rather narrow winding strip of land running along both sides of Snow’s Brook from the spillway dam of Corcoran’s Pond to the Mad River.

 White Mountain National Forest

The White Mountain National Forest Zone (WMNF) was created by Zoning Ordinance change in 2004.  This zone is that land within the political boundaries of the Town of Waterville Valley controlled by the Federal Government.  Land use determinations for land in the WMNF zone is determined by the White Mountain National Forest Plan.

These regulations have ensured that any development in Waterville Valley takes place in those areas best suited for the intended use.  Establishment of the zones was determined by the lands’ limitations, as well as overall town design considerations.

Subdivision

Waterville Valley’s subdivision regulations were first established on April 5, 1973 and have been amended eight times since first becoming law.  The intent of the regulations is to ensure ordered growth that follows the original master plan.  The following is a summary of the subdivision procedure for Waterville Valley.  For more detailed information see:  Town of Waterville Valley Subdivision Regulations, June 13, 2002.

Site Plan Review

The purpose of site plan review is to ensure quality development in Waterville Valley that is in accordance with the town’s master plan and to encourage innovated design development compatible with the surrounding area.  Site plan review considers building design and citing and treatment of outdoor areas.

Site plan review ensures proposed development adequately provides for vehicular, bicycle, and pedestrian traffic, has adequate lighting and sign facilities, preserves natural features, and has a pleasing visual effect.  These regulations parallel subdivision regulations in many respects and are recommended to be used in conjunction with them.  The following is a summary of the procedure for complying with Waterville Valley’s site plan review regulations.

Submission requirements, performance guarantees and other details of the regulation can be found in the Town of Waterville Valley Site Plan Review Regulations (Revised), dated May 15, 2004. 

Other Existing Regulations

In addition to the regulations already mentioned, Waterville Valley also has the following regulations:

Basic International; Building/Plumbing/Mechanical/Fire Prevention/and Electrical and Fire Prevention codes

Municipal Water and Sewer Regulations

Anti-Noise ordinance

Solid Waste Enclosure Ordinance

Construction Clean up Ordinance

Roadway Spillage Law

Future Land Use Recommendations

According to town calculations there are approximately 64.28 acres +/- undeveloped acres within the village boundaries of Waterville Valley, all of which are zonedVillage Commercial or Commercial one, plus 65 acres +/- of land zoned Recreational, which is used as follows:

                        Golf Course                              30.0 acres

                        Cascade Path Parcel                 25.0 acres

                        Riverside Rec. Parcel                10.0 acres

Currently 87% of the developable land within the village has been developed, with only sixty-four acres remaining for future development.  Since there is very little land left to influence the character of the town as it develops, it is important that all new developments and redevelopment of older properties be directed towards specific land use needs as identified in other chapters in the master plan.  Towards that end future site plan reviews should include a review of the intended purpose of the development with priority given to.

·        Facilities, housing, and lodging to support recreational, educational, and cultural businesses and activities within the community.

·        Residential development that will attract a diverse population of permanent residents.

·        Residential development that supports more affordable housing for local employees and their families. 

  In addition, Town operations need additional space within the village area for buildings, vehicle and equipment storage and recreational purposes.