New England Municipal Sustainability Network Biannual Meeting

On November 13 and 14, Resilience Coordinator Lexi Merchant from the City of Dover attended the New England Municipal Sustainability Network's fall meeting at the University of New Hampshire. The event provided an opportunity to connect with sustainability professionals from neighboring municipalities, energy experts, and UNH faculty and staff.

Throughout the sessions, participants explored strategies to encourage homeowners and landlords to invest in weatherization and energy-efficiency improvements. Discussions focused on addressing the “split incentive” by better aligning financial benefits, improving overall building performance, and expanding access to weatherization programs — particularly for low to moderate-income households.

Sustainability staff from across New England also shared brief updates on local initiatives and policies supporting municipal decarbonization goals. Coordinator Merchant returned with valuable insights and new connections to help inform ongoing sustainability efforts in the community.

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, 11/10/25

The Conservation Commission met on Monday, Nov 10th, where it:

• Endorsed a Conditional Use Permit for William and Lori Goldenthal, Assessor’s Map N, Lot 8-1-8, zoned R-40, located off 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%.
• Reviewed and requested additional information on a Conditional Use Permit for 914 Central Avenue, LLC, Assessor’s Map 38, Lot 20, zoned Commercial, located at 914 Central Ave. 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.

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

Planning Board, 11/18/2025

The Planning Board met on Tuesday, Nov 18, where it:

• Confirmed the Withdrawal of:
• Consideration and possible approval of a Lot Line Adjustment for Drew Family Revocable Trust and Wendy E & Scott D. Drew, Assessor’s Map F, Lots 8 & 8-C, zoned R-40, located at Tolend Road & 276 Tolend Road. (Proposal is to adjust the lot lines between the two (2) parcels.)
• Consideration and acceptance of a Conditional Use Permit for Raghbir Singh, Assessor’s Map H, Lots 14-D & 14-D-1, zoned R-20, located at 8 & 4 Zeland Drive. (Proposal is to demolish two (2) existing homes and relocate and construct two single-family homes creating approximately 3,559 square feet of permanent impacts within the Conservation District).
• Approved Transfer of Development Rights for Knox Marsh Development, LLC, Assessor’s Map 24, Lot 6, zoned RM-U, located at 36 Forest Street. (Proposal is to purchase two (2) residential units restricted to HUD Fair Market Rental rates through TDR.
• Approved a Site Plan for Airey Row on Central, LLC, Assessor’s Map 2, Lots 79 & 80, zoned CBD-G, located at 376 & 378 Central Avenue. (Proposal is to renovate the existing 4-story building to include four commercial spaces on the first floor and fifteen (15) residential units on the upper floors).

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

Zoning Board of Adjustment, 11/20/25

The Zoning Board of Adjustments met on Monday, Nov 20th, where it:

• Continued 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:
• Continued 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.
• Continued 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’.
• Continued 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.
• Approved a Variance at 18 Pearson Drive from Fergus Cullen to allow for the construction of an addition to an existing single-family home to create a two-family dwelling where the minimum lot area for such a project requires 30,000 s.f. of lot area, whereas the existing lot has only 17,224 s.f.

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

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.

Help Shape Dover’s Future: How Would You Like to Get Involved?

Let us know here: https://polco.us/mdtrt3

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. 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.