2025 Northern New England Planning Conference

The Northern New England Chapter of the American Planning Association (NNECAPA) hosted its 2025 Conference this week in Portland, Maine. Several members of Dover’s Planning Department attended the event, which featured sessions on addressing housing challenges, re-examining dimensional and design standards, conservation-friendly zoning, community engagement tools, and more.

City Planner Erin Bassegio and Assistant City Planner Makayla Edgecomb participated in a guided tour of Peaks Island, exploring innovative ecological planning tools and conservation efforts aimed at addressing environmental, cultural, and development challenges.

This multi-day conference offered valuable opportunities for learning, collaboration, and partnership-building with planning professionals from across New England. Dover staff returned with new ideas, strategies, and resources to help inform ongoing projects and future initiatives in areas such as housing, sustainability, and community engagement. The knowledge and connections gained through NNECAPA will continue to support the city’s efforts to promote thoughtful, inclusive, and resilient growth.

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.

We received great feedback on last week’s question, so we’re keeping it open a little longer to hear from more residents:

When thinking about Dover’s future growth and development, which area should be the top priority for the new Future Land Use chapter?

Let us know here: https://polco.us/pb6vqa

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, 10/28/2025

The Planning Board met on Tuesday, Oct. 28, where it:

• Approved the City’s proposed Capital Improvements Program (CIP) FY 2027-2032. The CIP can be found on the City's website at www.dover.nh.gov and in the Library, City Clerk’s office, and the Planning Department. *
• Approved a Conditional Use Permit for Krystian Kozlowski, Assessor’s Map 24, Lot 74, zoned Gateway, located at 94 Portland Avenue. (Proposal is to allow relief from the front build-to-line requirement, in order to construct a new detached single-family dwelling on a parcel with an existing two-family dwelling.) *(COND-2025-0025)
• Approved a Conditional Use Permit for Rossignol Family Revocable Trust of 2016, Assessor’s Map 7, Lot 6, zoned R-20, located at 13 ½ Boston Harbor Road. (Proposal is to raise and modify the existing home which would result in approximately 869 square feet of temporary impacts and 75 square feet of permanent impacts within the Conservation District.) *(COND-2025-0022)
• Continued 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.) *(LOTA-2025-0010). The items will now be heard at the Nov. 18, 2025 Planning Board Meeting.
• Approved a Minor Subdivision for Wendy E. & Scott D. Drew, Assessor’s Map E, Lot 39, zoned R-40, located at 19 Watson Road. (Proposal is to subdivide the existing lot to make one (1) new lot.) *(SUBM-2025-0006)
• Approved a Site Plan for 200 Sixth Street, LLC, Assessor’s Map E, Lot 70-C, zoned IT, located at 200 Sixth Street. (Proposal is to construct an approximately 2,500 square foot Comcast Switching Facility with a paved accessway.) *(SITE-2025-0015)
• Adopted the proposed Amendments regarding Chapter 153 (Site Plan Regulations) in relation to the requirements of NH House Bill 413 regarding vesting period for approved plans. 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 of the proposed Amendments regarding Chapter 157 (Land Subdivision Regulations) in relation to the requirements of NH House Bill 413 regarding vesting period for approved plans. 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.

The full text of the amendments is available in the Planning Department Office, on the city's website contained within the Planning Board's meeting materials, and on the Planning Department webpage.

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

Arts Commission, 11/3/2025

The Arts Commission met on Monday, Nov 3rd, where it:

• Heard updates from the Literary Laureate
• Discussed Visiting Sculpture Program
• Discussed the following topics:
• Graffiti Committee
• Waterfront Committee
• Community Trail
• Public Art Projects – Library
• Art Beat
• Fiber Frenzy project
• Art Stops
• Light Boxes

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

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

The Department of Planning and Community Development is currently accepting applications for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program for fiscal year 2027. Application materials are available online and at the Planning Office located at City Hall. 

Applications from eligible public service agencies, individuals, and organizations are due by 4 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 21, 2025, and must be emailed to Community Development Planner Dave Carpenter at d.carpenter@dover.nh.gov.

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

Planning Dover's Progress: The CIP Process Explained

In a recent episode of the Dover Download podcast, Deputy City Manager Christopher Parker chatted with Planning Director Donna Benton about Dover's Capital Improvements Program (CIP). Benton explained that the CIP is a long-range planning document for purchasing or constructing capital assets. Listen wherever you get your podcasts or at this link.