Apple Harvest Day returns tomorrow, Oct. 1, for another day-long festival of vendors, food, entertainment, and more, all organized by the Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce. The Planning Department is excited to be represented at two locations at the festival, which you can locate on the map below. Keep reading to learn more about what you can expect from the Planning Department at Apple Harvest Day!

You'll find a number of the Planning Department staff at booth #145, across from the Orchard Street Stage, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. At the booth, you'll be able to ask about current projects in the city and find information on the citizen-led committees, commissions, and boards that are staffed by the Planning Department. If you've ever been interested in applying to be on a public body for the City of Dover, applications will be on hand for your consideration.

Look out for this banner at the booth, as we hope to get some initial public feedback on the latest chapter of the Master Plan that will be revised, the Vision Chapter. We'll be asking those that pass by, "What is your one wish for Dover's future?"

With this question, we'll be kicking off a community-wide visioning process to determine what residents hope for Dover between now and 2035.

Also, be sure to head over to the first ever Apple Harvest Day Electric Vehicle (EV) Show! The City of Dover's Energy Commission has partnered with the Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce to showcase a range of EVs, from e-bikes to trucks. Dealers and owners will be on-site to share their vehicles and answer questions. Experts from the Department of Environmental Services, Clean Energy New Hampshire, and the City of Dover will be in attendance.

The EV Show will be taking place from 12-3 p.m. along St. Thomas Street.

Thank you to everyone that joined us on the Community Trail for the first Chalk Walk! And a special thank you to Jacqueline Finnerty, member of the Community Trail Advisory Committee, who organized the event, and to the volunteer artists that created the chalk scenes.

Do you have an event that you'd like to see on the Trail? Please email [email protected] with ideas.

You can also click here to follow the Dover Community Trail on Facebook.

The proposed FY2024-2029 Capital Improvements Program (CIP) was presented last Wednesday, Sept. 21, to the City Council and the Planning Board at a joint workshop. You can watch the full workshop by clicking here.

Next steps for the CIP include both the Planning Board and City Council reviewing the proposed CIP, and each body holding public hearings.

The complete FY2024-2029 CIP book is available online and can be reviewed in person at the Library, City Clerk’s office, and the Planning Department.

For a look at how the CIP is prepared, click here.

The Dover Energy Commission has an opening for a new member. If you have the knowledge, experience, and/or interest in the field, please apply to join the talented team and participate in helping to shape Dover's energy future.

The citizen-led Energy Commission advises other boards and committees on energy plans and sustainable practices such as energy conservation, energy efficiency, energy generation, and zoning practices.

If interested in joining the Energy Commission, please complete an application and submit it to the City Clerk's Office by email or in person at the office at City Hall.

Questions about the Energy Commission can be addressed to [email protected].

In addition to each week's email edition of Dover Download, the City of Dover offers a weekly podcast. The podcast is hosted by Deputy City Manager Christopher Parker, who chats each week about the city's programs, services, public bodies, and projects. Each episode also takes a brief detour to the past with a look back at the week in Dover's history.

The podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and at https://anchor.fm/cityofdovernh.

Planning Word/Phrase of the Week: Accessory Dwelling Unit

Dover's zoning ordinance defines an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) as "...a secondary dwelling unit (a) attached and subordinate to a single family dwelling or (b) constructed within a detached garage that is accessory and subordinate to a single family dwelling."

Section 170-24 in the Dover zoning ordinance further explains the ADU regulations for the City.

In New Hampshire, RSA 674:71-73 allows all homes in zoning districts that allow single-family dwellings to have an ADU. The New Hampshire Office of Strategic Initiatives provides ADU resources and planning information for those interested in building an ADU on their property or learning more about them.

To learn about the zoning regulations of ADUs in your zoning district, click here.

If you have a word of the week or topics that you want to hear about, please email [email protected].