As one of New Hampshire s fastest-growing communities from the 1970s into the 1980s, Derry s remarkable growth rate has largely been the result of residential housing development. Many, if not most of the challenges Derry faces at the beginning of the new millenium are directly related to that growth in residential development. The amount, location and type of housing in a community greatly affects other aspects of community life. Housing , particularly dwellings located in areas outlying from the center, is directly related to the amount of traffic in a community, and to the level of public services in turn required to serve that housing. Almost by definition, the amount of housing is inversely proportional to the amount of open space in a community.
Housing is vitally dependent upon the natural resource of water in a community.
The amount and type of housing relative to the amount of business in a community also substantially affects the balances and burdens of municipal revenues and public services. And housing is the backbone of a community the homes of the people who choose to make that community their own. Interrelated as well is housing and the objectives for open space and natural resource protection. Open space and natural resources significantly contribute to the livability of a community in general and Derry in particular. In workshops Derry citizens suggested that future residential development should occur in a manner that respects natural resources and that preserves and protects open space.