New Hampshire Municipal Association Annual Conference

Members of the Planning Department attended the New Hampshire Municipal Association (NHMA) 2023 Annual Conference and Exhibition on Nov. 15 and 16 to present ongoing initiatives in Dover.

Resilience Manager Dr. Jackson Kaspari, presented with members of Clean Energy NH and the Strafford Regional Planning Commission (SRPC). The group provided an overview to NHMA conference attendees on the projected Electric Vehicle (EV) landscape over the next ten years in New Hampshire. This included a discussion on future growth projections and how municipalities can navigate the process of planning for, installing, and maintaining electric vehicle infrastructure.

Housing Navigator Ryan Pope participated in a panel with representatives from New Hampshire Housing and municipalities around the state that discussed community engagement strategies. The discussion highlighted community engagement tools utilized by communities across the state to advance housing policies at the local level.

Housing Navigator Ryan Pope presenting at the NHMA conference on community engagement.

Community Art Wall

Community Art Wall on the Dover Community Trail

A new addition to the Dover Community Trail is the Community Art Wall, located between Folsom Street and the Silver Street Tunnel. This project, initiated by the Graffiti Management Committee and endorsed by the Community Trail Advisory Committee, has come to life thanks to generous funding provided by the Dover Arts Commission.

Currently, trail users may see the work of Adam Gouveia of Spike Pit Studios who recently created a colorful graffiti mural on the wall.

The idea for the Community Art Wall emerged from one of the Graffiti Management Committee's goals to find constructive ways to channel artistic expression. The Committee looked to similar public art walls, such as in Nashua and Portland, Maine, for inspiration.

How it works:

The Community Art Wall operates on a basic premise: bring your creativity and leave your mark. The wall is open to everyone, from seasoned artists to those simply looking to begin in the world of public art. As recommended by the Graffiti Management Committee, artists are simply asked to respect their fellow artists and the space around them.

Community Art Wall on the Dover Community Trail

Planning Review Question

The Department of Planning and Community Development would like to hear your input! We'll be featuring a question for you to answer in each edition of the Planning Review, and we'll also share the results from the previous week.

This week's question: How do you typically find information about proposed projects and development in Dover?

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

Please note that if you don't already have an account with Polco, the city's polling system, you will be asked to create one.

Here are the results from last week's poll, which asked, "Do you know your Zoning District?"

For those that answered "no," you can search your property address to find your Zoning District here: maps.dover.nh.gov.

Dover Download podcast: Your guide to what's happening this week

In this week's episode, Deputy City Manager Christopher Parker chats with former Dover Mayor Jesse Andrew Galt about his time as a policymaker in Dover during the 1980s. This episode is the second in a series with Dover policymakers over the decades.

In This Week in Dover History, we learn about a boxing match in 1900 that took an unexpected turn.

The podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and by clicking here.

Planning Word/Phrase of the Week: Principal Building

The principal building on a property is the main building or structure. More than one principal building may be placed on a lot located in the Central Business District. More than one principal building may also be placed on a lot in all other districts with Planning Board approval for nonresidential developments, multifamily dwelling developments, and open space subdivisions.

To review the dimensional regulations for the placement of a principal building in your zoning district, or any district in Dover, check on the zoning tables here: https://ecode360.com/32591412.

Conservation Commission, 11/13/2023

The Conservation Commission met on Monday, Nov. 13, where it:

• Endorsed a City of Dover Conditional Use Permit for Portsmouth Christian Academy, (Agent: Oak Point Associates), Assessor’s Map J, Lot 1-C, zoned R-40, located at 20 Seaborne Dr. Proposal is to expand the existing playground area creating 607 square feet of temporary impact and 3,852 square feet of permanent impact to the wetland buffer. 

• Endorsed Traditional Foraging Rights on City of Dover Public Conservation Lands;

• Discussed a Natural Resource Inventory for the City of Dover;

• Reviewed Correspondence received from NHDES;

• Heard an update from the Forest Management Subcommittee.

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

Planning Board, 11/14/2023

The Planning Board met on Tuesday, Nov. 14, where it:

• Approved a Conditional Use Permit for A & H Welding Academy (Owner: Carlton Realty, LLC), Assessor’s Map D, Lot 14-3B, zoned IT, located at 69 Venture Dr. Proposal is the start-up of a welding school with ten welding booths and a large classroom to teach students. *(COND-2023-0057)

• Approved a Site Review for Horizons Engineering, Inc. (Owners: Hellenic Realty Partners, LLC), Assessor’s Map 2, Lot 19, zoned CBD-G, located at 333 Central Ave. Proposal is to convert 3,155 square feet on second floor space into two residential units and retain 1,875 square feet for commercial space. *(SITE-2023-0014)

• Approved a Minor Subdivision for Berry Surveying & Engineering (Owners: Heron Bay Partners, LLC), Assessor’s Map H, Lot 4, zoned IT, located at Cielo Drive. Proposal is to subdivide one lot into a total of two lots. *(SUBM-2023-0006)

• Approved a Transfer of Development Rights for Berry Surveying & Engineering (Owners: Heron Bay Partners, LLC), Assessor’s Map H, Lot 4, zoned IT, located at Cielo Drive. Proposal is to purchase 23 units through Transfer of Development Rights. *(TRAN-2023-0004)

• Approved a Site Plan for Berry Surveying & Engineering (Owners: Heron Bay Partners, LLC), Assessor’s Map H, Lot 4, zoned IT, located at Cielo Drive. Proposal is for the construction of 56 townhouses along Cielo Drive. *(SITE-2023-0016)

Note: * denotes public hearing; (20XX-XXXX) denotes the application number.

Click here to watch the meeting. Click here to find the complete agenda, where minutes will be posted when available.

Energy Commission, 11/15/2023

The Energy Commission met on Wednesday, Nov. 15, where it:

• Discussed reports on Community Power, Municipal Energy Generation, Transportation, and Net Zero, and the ISO New England Power Grid;

• Discussed the 2024 Regular Energy Commission Report;

• Heard staff updates on the Local Energy Solutions Conference and Delorean Power.

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

Zoning Board of Adjustment, 11/16/2023

The Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA) met on Thursday, Nov. 16, where it:

• Approved a Variance for Applicant Bruton & Berube, PLLC, (Owners: Laurie S. Anderson and Andrew R. & Holly Welsh Smith), 13 and 11 Hawthorn Rd., Tax Map 17, Lots 132 & 131) located in the Medium Density Residential District (R-12), request a Variance from Section 170-12.(B) of the Zoning Ordinance, to allow for a reduction in minimum lot area in order to facilitate a lot line adjustment of shared property lines. The zoning district requires a minimum of 12,000 square feet; if relief is granted, post-adjustment Lot 131 will be 11,079± square feet and Lot 132 will be 11,710± square feet. *(ZONE-2023-0045)

• Approved a Variance for Applicant Boudreau Land Surveying, (Owners: Bridget Broderick), 26 Nye Ln., Tax Map E, Lot 49-6, located in the Low-Density Residential District (R-20), request a Variance from Section 170-12 of the Zoning Ordinance, to allow construction of a covered porch, and steps to be constructed approximately 14.6’ from the side lot line, where 20’ is required. *(ZONE-2023-0046)

• Approved a Variance for Applicant Spectrum Signs and Graphics, (Owners: Central Avenue Management, LLC), 118 Central Ave., Tax Map 15, Lot 113, located in the Gateway District (G), request a Variance from Section 170-32.G. of the Zoning Ordinance, to allow for an increase in sign size for an approximate 53 square foot wall sign and an approximate 69.4 square foot free standing sign where the total sign area allowed is 24’ in the Gateway District. *(ZONE-2023-0047)

• Approved a Special Exception for Applicant Anthony Sallese, (Owners: Dana & Susan J Wirkala), 7 Ham St., Tax Map 27, Lot 16, located in Urban Density Multi Residential District (RM-U), request a Special Exception from Section 170-52.C.3 of the Zoning Ordinance, to allow for the conversion from two living units to four living units. *(ZONE-2023-0048)

• Denied a Variance for Applicant Shaheen & Gordon, PA, (Owners: Deepwater Frontiers, LLC), Back Road, Tax Map M, Lot 104, located in the Rural Residential District (R-40), request a Variance from Section 170-12(B) of the Zoning Ordinance, to allow for a storage container to remain on the parcel within the setback temporarily due to the unique natures of the property. *(ZONE-2023-0049)

Note: * denotes public hearing; (20XX-XXXX) denotes the application number.



Click here to watch the meeting. Click here to find the complete agenda, where minutes will be posted when available.

Committee to Address Community Housing Needs, 11/21/2023

The Committee to Address Community Housing Needs met on Tuesday, Nov. 21, where it:

• Heard an update from the Housing Navigator;

• Discussed the results of the Community Housing Needs survey and goal setting.

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