Councilor
Kenneth Smith
Age: 42, yrs. in Portsmouth: 22
Occupation: Maine-ly New Hampshire (owner)
Public Experience: City Council; chair of Traffic & Safety Comm., Parking Comm. and Cruise Ship Comm.; chair and vice chair of Planning Board; member of Historic District Comm.

-As the cost of living in Portsmouth rises, what can be done to provide affordable housing for working families and people with moderate incomes?

We have to make changes to the zoning ordinances to allow for more densities designed specifically for moderate and lower income housing, as well as workforce housing. We

also need to look at ways of expanding the First Time Homeowner Program that we currently have in the city.

-What would you do to manage growth in the city’s Northern Tier?

As a current member of the City Council, I have already made changes to the zoning ordinances with respect to building heights. If a developer now wants to build a tall structure, he must pull away from his property line, which will reflect a taller narrow building, which will protect open space. If he wishes to construct a wider building, he must build a lower structure, preserving air space. Also, traffic flows and parking consideration standards must be upheld.

-What kinds of new businesses would you like to see opening in Portsmouth?

Locally owned retail shops and business. Keeping the ownership and employees local helps keep the local economy thriving. Keeping big-box stores and chains out of Portsmouth prevents profit dollars from leaving the city without supporting the local economy.

-What would you do to promote sustainable practices and green building in the city?

As chairman of the Planning Board, I pushed for dark-sky friendly lights and changing of roof colors from dark to light to prevent radiant heating. We must continue to educate the public on recycling, and the city as a whole must look at all aspects of city business to save on fuel, energy and cleaning materials used that are environmentally friendly. We are off to a good start, but there is still much work to be done in this area.

-What was the last cultural or artistic event you attended in Portsmouth?

My wife and I were present at the opening of the new season of The Music Hall, with the unveiling of the new ceiling. We also assisted with the Katherine Jarvis event at The Music Hall. 

-It was, in large part, the artistic community that made Portsmouth a popular destination, but now many artists will tell you that they cannot afford to live or work here. Have we killed the goose that laid the golden egg? 

I hope not.  As former chairman of the Planning Board, I changed the ordinance to allow artists to live and work in the same space. To date, unfortunately, we have not had such a development built. The city needs to aggressively pursue this type of development. It is the artists’ community that has brought the color to this city, and we must protect them.