Housing affordability
Housing affordability starts with smart zoning reform that will balance growth in our housing stock with the need to preserve the character of our established neighborhoods.
The master plan should accommodate higher density where it is warranted near transportation hubs and commercial centers away from the center of town. In those areas requirements for lot size, set backs, and height restrictions should be eased to enable the construction of more and less expensive housing.
In other areas, permitting should be streamlined and accommodations made for reducing bureaucratic burdens to homeowners for making renovations that don’t materially affect the size or conformance of their homes.
Fair Taxes
With growth comes a need for expanding critical public health, safety, and traffic management infrastructure.
That is why we have to start charging development impact fees for large development projects. I advocate the city council passing an ordinance to enable the planning board to assess development impact fees on large projects as a condition of obtaining building permits.
Right now we residential property owners and renters are paying a disproportionate share of the infrastructure costs that are enabling the large developers to build profitable properties and this is simply not fair.
Responsible spending
The City Council has a fiduciary responsibility to ensure that taxpayer dollars are spent in alignment with the priorities of the people, and that annual spending increases are modest and predictable.
I advocate for the formation of a Citizen’s Budget Committee that will work with the council and city management to ensure that residents have full transparency and a stronger influence on the city’s operating and capital spending.
If the city council can tackle these three basic elements, Portsmouth can be a place where people can come, live, grow and stay.
Let’s keep the American Dream alive in Portsmouth.
About Thom
Proven Leader: Board, CEO, and Chairman positions in professional, volunteer, and commercial organizations. Strategic thinker, sets clear goals, holds himself and others accountable.
Community Engagement: Member of the Portsmouth Zoning Board of Adjustment, supporter of cultural institutions for arts and history, member of Elks Lodge 97 and local clubs for motorsports, outdoor sports, and amateur radio.
Scientist and Innovative Problem Solver: Ph.D. in Chemistry from Texas A&M and a long career in health research with a focus on women’s healthcare and rare pediatric skin disorders. Author of numerous peer reviewed scientific publications and inventor on multiple US and international patents.
Family: Married for 45 years to Kathleen. Relocated to the Seacoast in 2013 followed by our two adult children, Thom’s mother, and Kathy’s sister. Four generations now living in the seacoast community!