National Community Development Association's Fall Conference

On Dec. 2, Community Development Planner Dave Carpenter and Assistant City Planner Abby Galloway-Burke attended the National Community Development Association’s Fall Conference in New Bedford, Massachusetts. Staff from all six New England states came together for the regional gathering, which featured updates from NCDA Executive Director Vicki Watson on upcoming federal legislation that may impact Community Development Block Grants and related programs.

The host city showcased its innovative vacant property revitalization initiative, highlighting creative strategies to address blighted properties and strengthen neighborhoods. A separate one-day lead training followed on Dec. 3, offering a New Grantee Bootcamp, guidance on integrating funding sources, healthy homes, state resources, and new grant start-up procedures.

Events like this provide Dover with valuable opportunities to learn from peer communities, gain insight into emerging federal policy, and bring back knowledge that enhances the City’s community development work.

Recent Meetings

Below are summaries of recent land use meetings in the City of Dover. These meetings cover topics such as residential and development proposals, updates to the city's Master Plan, and energy and conservation initiatives.

For more information on all public meetings in Dover, including agendas, minutes, and recordings, please click here.

Conservation Commission, 12/1/25

The Conservation Commission's Forest Management Subcommittee met on Monday, Dec. 1, where it discussed:

• Central Business District Street Tree Updates
• Routine Plantings
• Capital Improvement Plan

Click here to find the complete agenda, supporting materials, and where minutes will be posted when available.

Arts Commission, 12/1/25

The Arts Commission met on Monday, Dec. 1, where it discussed:

• DAC Budget report
• Marketing Report
• Literary Laureate
• Visiting Sculpture program
• City Arts Grant
• January DAC Retreat
• Unfinished Business – Main St flags, on hold till the first of the yea
• Commission’s Matters of Interest – 9/11 Memorial, Holiday lights
• Project Updates
• Graffiti Committee
• Waterfront Committee
• Community Trail
• Public Art Projects – Library wall
• Art Beat
• Fiber Frenzy project
• Art Stops
• Light Boxes / Main Street

Click here to find the complete agenda, supporting materials, and where minutes will be posted when available.

Community Trail Committee, 12/2/25

The Community Trail Committee meeting scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 2 was cancelled due to the snowstorm. The next meeting will be held on Tuesady, Jan. 6, 2026.

Upcoming Meetings

Below are summaries of recent land use meetings in the City of Dover. These meetings cover topics such as residential and development proposals, updates to the city's Master Plan, and energy and conservation initiatives.

For more information on all public meetings in Dover, including agendas, minutes, and recordings, please click here.

Planning Board, 12/9/2025

In this video, Director of Planning and Community Development Donna Benton reviews what's on the agenda at the next Planning Board meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 9. Watch the meeting preview with Planning Director Donna Benton.

Agenda

• Consideration and acceptance of a Minor Subdivision for Ryan A. Hardin & Melissa L. Wheeler, located at 143 Long Hill Road. Proposal is for a minor subdivision creating one (1) new lot.

• Consideration and acceptance of a Lot Line Adjustment for Paula J. Revocable Trust & Charles N. Panasis Revocable Trust, Map L, Lots 105-F & 105-B, zoned R-20, located at 280A Dover Point Road & Dover Point Road.

• Consideration and acceptance of a Lot Line Adjustment for Emily Mae Corey & Eddie Ernest Fernandez and Brian S. & Sarah Gennaco, Map M, Lots 68-A & 68-B, zoned R-20, located at 126 Dover Point Road and 19 Tuttle Lane.

• Consideration and acceptance of a Conditional Use Permit for Lori Flex & William David Goldenthal located at Saddle Trail Drive. Proposal is for the construction of a single-family home within the Conservation District due to the amount of impacts, approximately 10,997 square feet, within an area containing slopes greater than 20%.

• Consideration and acceptance of a Conditional Use Permit for Summit Land Development, LLC located at 14 Industrial Park Road. Proposal is to construct a warehouse and addition with a total impact of approx. 6,073 s.f. to wetland buffers in the Wetland Protection District.

• Consideration and acceptance of a Site Plan for Summit Land Development, LLC located at 14 Industrial Park Road. Proposal is to construct an approx. 14,560 s.f. warehouse and an approx. 6,200 s.f. addition to the existing structure.

• Consideration and acceptance of a Conditional Use Permit for James Farrell Construction, LLC located at 13 Monroe Street. Proposal is to allow for increased density to four (4) units, where three (3) are allowed by right in the Gateway District.

• Consideration and acceptance of a Site Plan Amendment for Jones & Beach Engineering located at 851- 888 & 829-833 Central Avenue. Proposal is to convert former department store to a fitness facility consisting of 10 pickleball courts and fitness areas with a 24’ wide driveway connection between the two parcels.

• Consideration and acceptance of a Conditional Use Permit for 914 Central Avenue, LLC, located at 914 Central Avenue. Proposal is to redevelop the site and construct a childcare facility, resulting in an approximate 1% increase in impervious surface area from existing conditions, for a total of about 45% impervious coverage within the Secondary Groundwater Protection District.

• Consideration and acceptance of a Conditional Use Permit for James Farrell Construction located at 13 Monroe Street. Proposal is to allow for increased density to four (4) units, where three (3) are allowed by right in the Gateway District.

• Consideration and acceptance of a Site Plan Amendment for Jones & Beach Engineering, located at 851- 888 & 829-833 Central Avenue. Proposal is to convert former department store to a fitness facility consisting of 10 pickleball courts and fitness areas with a 24’ wide driveway connection between the two parcels.

• Consideration and acceptance of a Conditional Use Permit for 914 Central Avenue, LLC, located at 914 Central Avenue. Proposal is to redevelop the site and construct a childcare facility, resulting in an approximate 1% increase in impervious surface area from existing conditions, for a total of about 45% impervious coverage within the Secondary Groundwater Protection District.

• Consideration and acceptance of Site Plan for Civilworks New England, c/o InSite Development Services, LLC located at 914 Central Avenue. Proposal is to construct a 10,075 s.f. childcare facility.

Several Items on the Agenda were continued to the next Planning Board Meeting. The following items will be heard on January 27, 2025:

• Consideration and acceptance of a Minor Subdivision for Diversified Building and Maintenance, LLC, Assessor’s Map 25, Lot 46, zoned R-12 & G, located at 6 Granite Street. Proposal is for a minor subdivision creating one (1) new lot.

• Consideration and acceptance of a Conditional Use Permit for Hawkins Family Revocable Trust, located at 33 Sixth Street. Proposal is to remodel the interior of the existing structure and utilize it as a two-unit residential building, where residential units are not allowed by right due to the lot size.

• Consideration and acceptance of a Conditional Use Permit for Hawkins Family Revocable Trust, located at 33 Sixth Street. Proposal is to remodel the interior of the existing structure and utilize it solely for residential use, where a commercial use on the ground floor is required.

Click here to find the complete agenda, supporting materials, and where minutes will be posted when available.

Zoning Board of Adjustment, 12/18/25

The Zoning Board of Adjustments will meet on Thursday, Dec. 18, where it will:

• Consider the request for a Variance from Dev Atma Khalsa (Owner: The Gurubhai Khalsa Trust) at Page Avenue. The request is to construct a single-family dwelling with an attached garage 15’ from the rear lot line where 30’ is allowed. ZONE-2025-0036 Applicant:
• Consider the request for Variance at 28 Dover Point from 25 Dover Point, LLC to allow for the construction of a commercial building within a residential zoning district.
• Consider the request fora Variance at 28 Dover Point from 25 Dover Point, LLC to permit a front setback of 78.1’ where the front build-to line requires a max of 25’.
• Consider the request for Variance at 28 Dover Point from 25 Dover Point, LLC to allow for a commercial property closer than 150’ from a residential structure within a residential zone.

Click here to find the complete agenda, supporting materials, and where minutes will be posted when available.

Planning Review Question

The Department of Planning and Community Development would like your input! We'll be featuring a question in each edition of the Planning Review, and we'll also share the results.

Which Dover spot — whether a hidden gem or a favorite park — helps you feel most connected to the community?



Let us know here: https://polco.us/f5asx5

Volunteer Opportunities

With the new year coming, it is a great time to consider joining one the City's Boards or Commissions. Dover is a vibrant community due in large part to the energy and talent of citizen participation on the City's many boards and commissions. Current vacancies include Conservation Commission, Open Lands Committee, and the Zoning Board of Adjustment. For a full list of openings, please visit the City's website. Please click here to download a public body member application (PDF) to apply for membership.

FY27 Community Development Block Grant Applications are now Closed

The Department of Planning and Community Development is no longer accepting applications for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program for fiscal year 2027.

Applications from eligible public service agencies, individuals, and organizations will be reviewed by Community Development Staff. Funding recommendations will be available to the public at the end of December and presented to the Planning Board and City Council for acceptance in early 2026.

For more information, contact Community Development Planner Dave Carpenter at d.carpenter@dover.nh.gov or 603-516-6008, or visit the Community Development webpage.