Planning and Community Development

2025 in Review

As we reflect on 2025, the Planning Department worked alongside residents, local boards, and community partners to support thoughtful growth and strong neighborhoods across the City. Together, we reviewed development proposals, administered zoning and building processes, managed CDBG investments, and advanced long-range planning efforts that help shape a resilient community. We are grateful for the time and dedication of our volunteer boards, committees, and commissions, whose collaboration makes this work possible. Below are some updates on the Planning Department's work over the past year.

Public Engagement

The Planning Department seeks public input throughout the year and is able to conduct public engagement through both in-person and online outreach opportunities. Shown above are some of the events where you may have seen Planning Department staff, including Apple Harvest Day, National Night Out, and the Community Services Department’s Open House Event.

Conservation Updates

• The Conservation Commission and Open Lands Committee coordinated to purchase a 10.29-acre conservation easement on Blackwater Road. This easement further protects Blackwater Brook, which is already surrounded by existing conservation easements and wellhead protection land.

• In addition, the Conservation and Open Space Chapter of the Master Plan was adopted by the Planning Board. The updated chapter will guide future land conservation efforts over the next 10 years and identifies the top conservation priorities shown below.

Community Development Block Grant Updates

City Council adopted the Fiscal Year 2026-Fiscal Year 2030 Consolidated Plan and the Fiscal Year 2026 Action Plan for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program. The Consolidated Plan outlines Dover’s five-year strategy for the use of CDBG funds, while the Action Plan identifies the specific projects and activities to be funded.

Weatherization Impact:

• 6 households assisted
• $47,019.16 in CDBG funds invested

Public Services:



• CDBG funding supported 10 public service organizations serving Dover residents 
• $38,010.17 in CDBG funding expended



Public Facilities:



• $286,339.81 in CDBG funding expended during calendar year 2025
• 8 projects completed
• 3 projects currently underway
• 2 projects under contract, anticipated for completion by Spring 2026

Community Development Block Grant

Proposed FY27 Annual Action Plan

The City of Dover receives Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Each year, the City prepares an Annual Action Plan that outlines how these funds will be used to address community needs identified in Dover’s FY26–30 Consolidated Plan.

The proposed FY27 Annual Action Plan includes funding for activities such as homeless shelter services, security deposit assistance, weatherization and energy efficiency improvements, and economic development projects.

Residents, organizations, and community partners are encouraged to review the proposed plan and share their comments. Written comments may be submitted to Community Development Planner Dave Carpenter by email at d.carpenter@dover.nh.gov, by phone at 603-516-6008, or by mail to the Planning & Community Development Department, 288 Central Avenue, Dover, NH 03820.

Copies of the proposed FY27 Annual Action Plan are available at the Dover Public Library, the Planning & Community Development Department, and online.

The Dover Planning Board will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers. The public is encouraged to attend and provide feedback.

ADU Certificate of Use Renewals

If you have an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) on your property, this is a friendly reminder that the City of Dover requires the Certificate of Use for ADUs to be renewed each January, in accordance with the Zoning Ordinance (§170-24.H.).

Renewals are easy and can be completed online through the City’s permitting portal.

If you’ve used the portal before, your existing username and password should still work. New users can register directly on the site. Have questions or need help with the process? We’re happy to assist — just give us a call at 603-516-6008.

If a renewal application is not received, the City will follow up with a notice indicating that the certificate is no longer valid and the ADU use must cease. If your ADU is no longer in use, please let us know so we can update our records.

Thank you for helping keep Dover’s housing records up to date!

Upcoming Meetings

Below are summaries of upcoming 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, 1/13/2026

The Planning Board will meet on January 13, where it will hear the following items:

• Election of Officers
• Consideration and acceptance of an Extension Request for Westfield, LLC, Assessor’s Map G, Lot 2, zoned CM, located at Littleworth Road. (Proposal is a request for extension of approval for a Site Plan [SITE-2025-0007].) *(WAIV-2025-0013)
• Discussion and possible adoption of the updated Land Use Chapter of the Master Plan.
• A Public Hearing for the purpose of receiving public input regarding the City’s draft CDBG FY27 Action Plan. The Action Plan identifies activities seeking funding from Dover’s anticipated FY27 CDBG award. The Planning Board’s decision serves as a recommendation to the City Council.
• Discussion with Strafford Regional Planning Commission about Regional Plan.
• Discussion of Land Use Amendments/Goal Setting.

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

Zoning Board, 1/13/2026

The Zoning Board will meet on January 15, where it will hear the following items:

• A request from Applicant: Scott Hogan, Esq. to reconsider a previous decision made on November 20, 2025. The request asks the Board to re-hear its approval allowing the owner of 18 Pearson Drive to add onto an existing single-family home and convert it into a two-family home. (ZONE-2025-0040)

• A request from Applicant: 6 Brick Road, LLC to allow housing units on the first floor of a proposed building at 1-24 Jefferson Drive. The property is located in the Office and Gateway districts, and within the Office Zoning District, first-floor residential units are not permitted on the first floor. (ZONE-2025-0039)

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.

What parts of the City’s planning and development work would you like us to highlight or explain in future newsletters?



Let us know here: https://polco.us/f9rmuq

Responses from Last Week's Question:

As we wrap up the year, what would you like the City of Dover to prioritize in the year ahead?

Volunteer Opportunities

With the new year upon us, 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.