Community feedback wanted for Master Plan survey, public meeting Sept. 24

LACONIA — Councilors, land use board members, and the public will gather to discuss concerns and hopes for the city’s future, getting one step closer to finalizing Laconia’s master plan, at Lakes Region Community College, 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 24. 

The city's master plan was last updated in 2018.

As part of the 2027 “Laconia Forward Together Master Plan,” forums were held earlier this year to gain feedback and varying perspectives from residents downtown, in Weirs Beach, and Lakeport.

“We did do a survey earlier when we did our three forums for it, and we had quite a few respondents, but we're kind of missing one of the target demographics that the mayor was looking for,” said Planning Director Rob Mora. “So, we're really trying to make sure that we get the demographic the mayor was looking for, and get those younger professionals that we're looking to attract to the city.”

A new survey is open for feedback, which Mora said will likely be closed after the Sept. 24 meeting, so the Master Plan Steering Committee can finalize the plan before presenting it to the planning board, and finally, city council. 

To take the survey, visit laconianh.gov/341/Master-Plan.

The survey lists eight “emerging community priorities” for residents to rank from 1 to 8, 1 being the highest, and 8 being the lowest. Priorities include:

• Preserving community character
• Protecting natural resources
• Expanding housing opportunities
• Strengthening Downtown and Village Centers
• Improving walking, biking, and connectivity
• Enhancing parks, recreation, and waterfront access
• Building a strong year round economy
• Investing in community services and infrastructure

The survey includes open-response questions regarding what residents would like the Master Plan Committee to know as they prepare for the 2027 master plan, and what they would like to see in Laconia that they've observed in other communities.

According to the city’s website, the new master plan will “guide land use policy, housing, transportation, economic development, and community investment over the next 10-15 years.”

The committee held a community photo contest to collect photos of Laconia to use in the master plan and encourage creative, community engagement. The contest closed in July.

In the 2026 Outreach Report published in June, based on resident responses, the three biggest strengths residents think the city has are its lakes, natural resources, and scenic beauty; community character and quality of life; and recreation, tourism, and downtown destinations.

Also found in the report were the three biggest challenges residents think the city is facing: housing affordability, workforce housing, and homelessness; managing growth while preserving community character and natural resources; and infrastructure, transportation, and economic opportunities.

At the Sept. 24 meeting, the Master Plan Committee will present information received from local residents, as well as highlighting efforts made thus far to improve Laconia. There will be time for the public to ask questions and express concerns or wishes for the city.

“We're just looking for as much input as we possibly can get, so we can have the best product to move forward that really encompasses the vision of the residents of the city,” Mora said.

Through three forums held earlier this year, the committee found most participants were over the age of 55. This is why the committee is seeking input from all demographics, specifically calling for input from students, parents, and young professionals.

“I just want to emphasize we want as much public comment as possible, and as many people that want to fill out the survey, we are very happy for it,” Mora said. “And all those comments will be incorporated into the master plan at the end of the day, so that everybody sees the direction the city went in was because of all the comments, all the public that came out, and all the input that we've gotten from all the land use boards.”