Where the Pipes Are: Keys to Unlocking More Housing and Better Planning

Zoning Atlas Webinar

Discover how new statewide water and sewer data in the NH Zoning Atlas can transform housing and planning in New Hampshire.

Join NH Business Review and the Initiative for Housing Policy and Practice for a webinar highlighting how this tool streamlines housing development, empowers local leaders, and guides economic growth.

The NH Zoning Atlas is a project of the Initiative for Housing Policy and Practice at Saint Anselm College, NH Housing Finance Authority and the NH Department of Business and Economic Affairs. 

Join us for a free webinar
Wednesday, October 29, 2025 from 11 a.m. until noon

Presenters:

Sarah Wrightsman Headshot 1Sarah Wrightsman
New Hampshire Housing

Sarah Wrightsman is the Manager of Community Engagement and Education at New Hampshire Housing. Prior to joining the team at New Hampshire Housing, Wrightsman was Executive Director of the Workforce Housing Coalition of the Greater Seacoast.

Wrightsman is a graduate of Leadership Seacoast’s class of 2019 and Leadership New Hampshire’s Class of 2021. She holds a master’s degree in public policy from the Carsey School of Public Policy at the University of New Hampshire.

Rick Lederer BarnesRick Lederer-Barnes
Upstate GIS

Rick is an Independent Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Specialist and Environmental Planner with over 20 years of GIS experience and is the Sole Proprietor of Upstate GIS, located in Cambridge, NY. Specializing in cartographic design, data creation and spatial analysis, Rick is a member of the NH Zoning Atlas leadership team as the project’s GIS lead.

Panel Discussion:

Preston Hunter Headshot 2025 07 29Preston Hunter
PROCON

Preston Hunter is Vice President of Business Development at PROCON, a leading New England design-build. With more than 20 years of experience in construction and real estate development, he works with clients to identify potential projects and guide the design and construction process. He is involved with projects across many sectors with a focus on market-rate and affordable multi-family housing.

HeathershankHeather Shank
NH Department of Business and Economic Affairs

Heather is the Director of the Division of Planning and Community Development (DPCD) in the New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs (BEA). Heather manages The Invest NH program, the Office of Broadband Initiatives and the Office of Planning and Development (OPD). DPCD works closely with municipalities in education and training to improve regulatory processes and development outcomes; and with development partners to expand community assets and services. Prior to this role, Heather was the City Planner for Concord, New Hampshire where she managed the development review process, staffed the planning board, and assisted multiple city commissions and committees.

Nick Taylor Headshot 1Nick Taylor
Housing Action NH

Nick Taylor is the Director of Housing Action NH and a member of the New Hampshire Zoning Atlas Leadership Team. Over the last decade, Nick has worked on a wide range of public policy, political, and advocacy issues, including serving as the Executive Director of the Workforce Housing Coalition of the Greater Seacoast and Policy Director in the New Hampshire State Senate. He lives in Manchester. 

Moderator:

ElissamargolinheadshotElissa Margolin
Initiative for Housing Policy and Practice
Saint Anselm College

Elissa Margolin launched the Initiative for Housing Policy and Practice at Saint Anselm College in January of 2025, building on the housing policy programming started at the College’s Center for Ethics in Society. The purpose of the Housing Initiative is to advance research, education, and engagement on housing development, affordability and stability, providing practitioners, academic leaders, students, policy makers and advocates with a learning hub dedicated to quality research, effective convenings, and new insights.

Host

Ernesto 200x200Ernesto Burden
Vice President and Publisher
Yankee Publishing | New Hampshire Group 

Ernesto has been vice president digital for Newspapers of New England (NNE), group publisher at PennWell,  vice president of digital media for The Telegraph and NH.com and related sites, as well as digital media director for the Rutland Herald and Times Argus newspapers in Vermont, online editor for The Telegraph and NH.com, and a print editor and reporter with daily and weekly newspapers. He’s spent his career at the intersection of publishing, digital evolution and marketing helping both publishers and advertisers maximize their digital visibility. 

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Where the Pipes Are: Keys to Unlocking More Housing and Better Planning

Discover how new statewide water and sewer data in the NH Zoning Atlas can transform housing and planning in New Hampshire. Join NH Business Review and the Initiative for Housing Policy and Practice for a webinar highlighting how this tool streamlines housing development, empowers local leaders, and guides economic growth.

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Webinar Sponsors

Saint Anselm Institute for Housing Policy and Practice

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