Dover Planning Review: An Update From the Office of Planning and Community Development

City Council Housing Workshop

The Dover City Council held a Housing Workshop this week focused on current housing conditions, local initiatives, and progress toward recommendations outlined in the Report on Findings and Recommendations from the Ad Hoc Committee to Address Community Needs. The May 6 workshop was presented by Planning and Community Development Director Donna Benton and Assistant City Planner Abby Muirhead.

The discussion centered on Dover’s evolving land use policies and efforts to encourage housing production while maintaining neighborhood character and long-term community goals. Staff reviewed several innovative zoning and planning strategies the city has adopted or is actively exploring, including tools intended to support housing diversity, redevelopment opportunities, and higher-density housing in appropriate locations.

Regional partners also discussed broader housing trends affecting the Seacoast area. Ryan Pope and Maeve Nolan of the Workforce Housing Coalition of the Greater Seacoast provided updates on regional workforce housing efforts and collaboration among municipalities and housing organizations. George Reagan, Community Engagement Director at the New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority, shared information on statewide housing programs, funding opportunities, and housing market trends. Dian Maruca, Executive Director of Dover Housing Authority also contributed updates to the workshop materials, though she was unable to attend in person.

The workshop reflects Dover’s ongoing efforts to approach housing through a combination of planning, policy, regional coordination, and community engagement. The City recognizes housing as a critical component of economic vitality, workforce stability, and overall quality of life.

The City of Dover hosted an ADU Open House, a community information session on Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) last week on April 30.

The session brought together approximately 40 attendees and featured strong participation from residents, who asked thoughtful and engaging questions throughout. The event included presentations and discussion led by Building Official Jim Maxfield, Zoning Administrator Paul Crouser, and Assistant City Planner Abby Murihead.

Staff reviewed current ADU regulations and 2025 updates, explained the local permitting and approval process, and highlighted financing options for ADU construction and conversions. Participants also had the opportunity to connect directly with community lenders offering ADU-specific loan products, including Service Credit Union, First Seacoast Bank, Kennebunk Savings Bank, and Lighthouse Credit Union, and get their financing questions answered.

A big thank you was extended to all participants and community partners who helped make the event a success.

If you have any questions or wish to learn more about the ADUs in Dover, please contact the Planning Department at 603-516-6008.

City Nature Challenge

From April 24 to April 27, the public was encouraged to take photos of plants and wildlife they encountered in Strafford County and record their observations in iNaturalist, a nonprofit platform that helps users identify species while contributing data for science and conservation.

Observations were made across the region—from backyards to local parks—highlighting the variety of nature found right in our communities.

On Saturday, April 25, a guided walk was held around Willand Pond with an expert to record observations in iNaturalist and identify a range of flora and fauna.

Below are photos captured in Dover and the surrounding area during the 2026 City Nature Challenge, highlighting the local plants and wildlife observed throughout the event.

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.

Planning Board, 4/28/2026

The Planning Board met on April 28, where it:

OLD BUSINESS

• Approved a Transfer of Development Rights for Corey MacKoul, Assessor’s Map 17, lot 38, zoned R-12, located at 89 Stark Avenue. Proposal is to request one (1) unit through TDR for a total of three (3) units. (This item was continued from the March 24, 2026 Planning Board meeting.)
• Adopted the proposed Amendments regarding Chapter 153 (Site Plan Regulations). The full text of the amendments is available in the Planning Department and at www.dover.nh.gov located under meeting materials and on the Planning Department page*.
• Adopted the proposed Amendments regarding Chapter 157 (Land Subdivision Regulations). The full text of the amendments is available in the Planning Department and at www.dover.nh.gov located under meeting materials and on the Planning Department page*.

NEW BUSINESS

• Approved a Lot Line Adjustment for Waterside Land Holdings, LLC, Assessor’s Map M, Lots 91-C and 91-D, zoned R-40, located at Middle Road.
• Approved a Conditional Use Permit for Edward Williams, Assessor’s Map L, Lot 45-H, zoned R-20, located at 169 Spur Road. Proposal is to demolish the existing structure and construct a new single-family home with site improvements resulting in approximately 7,839 square feet of impacts to the Conservation District.
• Approved a Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) for 25 Dover Point, LLC, Assessor’s Map K, Lot 26, zoned R-12, located at 28 Dover Point Road. Proposal is to purchase two (2) residential units through TDR.
• Approved a Conditional Use Permit for 25 Dover Point, LLC, Assessor’s Map K, Lot 26, zoned R-12, located at 28 Dover Point Road. (Proposal is to allow for construction of a mixed-use building with associated drainage and grading resulting in approximately 1,797 square feet of permanent impacts to the wetland buffer. There are no direct wetland impacts proposed.
• Approved a Site Plan for 25 Dover Point, LLC, Assessor’s Map K, Lot 26, zoned R-12, located at 28 Dover Point Road. Proposal is to construct an approximately 3,048 square feet mixed-use building to include three (3) commercial units on the first floor and three (3) residential units on the second floor.

Click here for the agenda and supporting materials, where minutes will be posted once complete. Watch the meeting

Arts Commission, 5/4/2026

The Arts Commission met on May 4, where it discussed:

• Cocheco Arts Festival sponsorship
• Riverside Sculpture Series
• Literary Laureate
• Mural Project
• Marketing Report
• Project Updates
• City Arts Grant
• Community Trail
• Public Art Projects
• Grove St Apartments
• Library
• Art Beat
• Art Stops
• Light Boxes / Main Street
• Main St banners
• 9-11Memorial-Jacqueline 

Click here for the agenda and supporting materials, where minutes will be posted once complete.

Community Trail Committee, 5/5/2026

The Community Trail Committee met on May 5, where it discussed:

• Clean-Up Day Discussion
• Updates on Ongoing Projects
• Public Art on the Community Trail
• Trail Improvements
• TAP Extension Phases IV-A and IV-B
• Adopt-A-Trail
• Outreach and Trail Events
• Review: Visioning and Goals 

Click here for the agenda and supporting materials, where minutes will be posted once complete.

On the Agenda: Planning Board, 5/12/2026

In this video, Director of Planning and Community Development Donna Benton reviews what's on the agenda at the next Planning Board meeting on Tuesday, May 12, 2026. The video can be viewed by clicking the image above or at

The meeting begins at 7 p.m. in Council Chambers at City Hall. The meeting will be broadcast live on DNTV and streamed live online.

Dover Plan Review Question

The Department of Planning and Community Development would like your input. We feature a poll question in each edition of the Planning Review, utilizing the city's online polling platform, Polco. This week we want to know:

What type of housing do you live in?

• A. Single Family
• B. 2 -4 Unit Multifamily
• C. 5+ Unit Multifamily
• D. Manufactured Home
• E. Other



Let us know!

Responses are anonymous, but poll respondents must create an account with Polco to submit answers. Only an email and password are required to make an account.

Responses from Last Edition's Question:

How would you like to get involved in planning this spring?