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.

Assistant City Planner Abby Galloway-Burke attended New Hampshire Housing's 2025 Housing & Economy Conference at the Grappone Center in Concord on Oct. 16.

Housing leaders, community innovators, and policymakers from across the state gathered for a day of insight and innovation. This year’s panels showcased practical strategies communities are using to make housing development a reality, as well as highlighted standout projects that overcame challenges to deliver lasting impact. 

Kayla Scanlon during her keynote address. Photo courtesy of New Hampshire Housing

Governor Kelly Ayotte and New Hampshire Housing's Executive Director Rob Dapice were among the event's featured speakers. Kayla Scanlon, educator, economic commentator and author of "In this Economy? How Money & Markets Work," gave the keynote address, "Housing, Affordability and the Future of New Hampshire."

Statewide discussions like this provide Dover with the opportunity to learn from successful strategies in other communities and bring forward ideas that can support our own housing, economic development, and connectivity goals.

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 from the previous week.

This week, we want to know:

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

Upcoming Meetings

Planning Board, 10/28/2025

The Planning Board will meet next on Tuesday, Oct. 28, where it will hold a public hearing and begin its review of the proposed FY2027-2032 Capital Improvements Program. Planning Director Donna Benton discussed the CIP in this week's Dover Download Podcast.

Director Benton recently released a video where she reviews what's on the meeting's agenda.

The televised meeting will be held in City Hall's Council Chambers at 7 p.m. Click here for the complete agenda and supporting materials.

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.

Energy Commission, 10/15/2025

The Energy Commission met on Tuesday, Oct. 15, where it:

• Heard and discussed staff updates on Energy Savings Performance Contracting (ESPC) Solar Options, Waste Water Treatment Facility Solar Project, and the Local Energy Solutions Conference.

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

Planning Board, 10/14/2025

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

• Approved a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for Tina M. Sawtelle, located at 476 Sixth St. The CUP approval allows for overlapping impacts to wetland buffers and the Conservation District due to an expansion of an existing single-family home with approximately 181 square feet of permanent wetland buffer impacts.

• Approved an Amendment to a previously approved TDR Subdivision/Site Plan for 5 Sherman Street, LLC located at 10 and 11 Banner Drive and 9 Sophie Drive. The approval amends the 1,400-square-foot size restriction for the subject properties as set in the previously approved plans.

• Approved posting the proposed Amendments regarding Chapter 153 (Site Plan Regulations) and 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 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.

Zoning Board of Adjustment, 10/16/2025

The Zoning Board of Adjustment met on Thursday, Oct. 16, where it:

• Approved a Special Exception for Katrine B. & John M. MacGregor at 50 Mount Vernon St., located in the Urban Density Multi-Residential District (RM-U). The request involved the conversion of an existing 3-unit home to a 2-unit home and the construction of a 2-unit addition for a total increase from 3-units to 4-units. 

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

Planning Dover's Progress: The CIP Process Explained

In the latest episode of the Dover Download podcast, Deputy City Manager Christopher Parker chats with Planning Director Donna Benton about Dover's Capital Improvements Program (CIP). Benton explains 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.