Community Development Block Grant

Program Update

At its April 8 meeting, the Planning Board heard a presentation from Community Development Planner Dave Carpenter on the City’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, including the proposed FY26–FY30 Consolidated Plan, FY26 Action Plan, and FY26 CDBG funding allocations. The Planning Board voted to endorse the plans and funding recommendations, forwarding them to the City Council for final approval.

The City of Dover receives annual CDBG funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). These funds support a wide range of community development activities aimed at revitalizing neighborhoods, promoting economic development, and enhancing community facilities and services for lower-income residents.

Through the CDBG program, the City distributes funding to local organizations, programs, and projects that best address community-identified needs. The Consolidated Plan guides this work by assessing affordable housing and community development needs, evaluating market conditions, and supporting data-driven, place-based investment decisions that benefit Dover’s most vulnerable populations.

To view the draft FY26-FY30 Consolidated Plan and FY26 Action Plan, click here. 

Questions or comments can be directed to Dave Carpenter at d.carpenter@dover.nh.gov.

Planning Insights from the

National Planning Conference

Director of Planning and Community Development Donna Benton attended the National Planning Conference in Denver, Colorado, held from March 28 to April 2. The event brought together over 4,300 planning professionals from across the country to explore innovative practices and pressing issues in the field.

Director Benton participated in a range of workshops, mobile tours, and sessions covering a wide array of topics. Highlights included: an in-depth look at how past zoning decisions have contributed to housing affordability challenges in Boulder, Colorado; a behind-the-scenes tour of two Amazon facilities to better understand the permitting and operational needs of industrial uses; a visit to a Superfund site and water treatment facility located on a bison reserve; and a tour of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, where she learned about cutting-edge wind and solar power research. She also attended sessions focused on equity in small retail, managing multi-generational teams, and more. In addition to gaining valuable insights, Director Benton experienced inspiring examples of public art and placemaking and connected with fellow planners from across the country and around the world. These experiences bring fresh ideas and valuable knowledge back to Dover, helping to inform local planning efforts and inspire innovative approaches to community development.

National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Denver, Colorado.

Looking Up a Project in Dover

Whether you're interested in new developments, property details, or project applications, the City of Dover makes it easy to access the information you need. Here’s how you can look it up:

1. Go to https://maps.dover.nh.gov

2. Search and select the property address

3. Click “Public Property Information Documents”

4. View active or approved applications for that property

Note: Some older documents may not be available online. For help, contact the Planning Department at 603-516-6008 or Planning@dover.nh.gov.

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

In the latest episode of Dover Download, Deputy City Manager Christopher Parker chats with Deb Clough about the upcoming "Power of an Hour" litter collection event scheduled for Saturday, April 26, 2025, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.

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

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:

Are you familiar with the City of Dover’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program?

Submit your responses here: https://polco.us/mahq4x

Here are the results from the last poll, which asked, "What is the best way for you to receive information about development projects in Dover?"

Recent Meetings

Arts Commission, 4/7/2025

The Arts Commission met on Monday, April 7, where it:

• Heard a project update from Deputy City Manager Christopher Parker on proposed artwork in Nebi Park;

• Approved funding towards a chalk art event on the Community Trail;

• Reviewed updates on projects such as Art Beat and work with other Dover Committees.

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

Transfer of Development Rights Subcommittee, 4/7/2025

The Planning Board's Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) Subcommittee met on Monday, April 7, where it:

• Heard a historical overview from staff of the TDR program in the City of Dover;

• Discussed Subcommittee goals and timeline of potential amendments to the Zoning Ordinance.

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

Planning Board, 4/8/2025

The Planning Board met on Tuesday, April 8, where it:

• Approved amendments to the Planning Board Operating Rules*

• Endorsed the City’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program FY26-FY30 Consolidated Plan, FY26 Action Plan and FY26 CDBG Funding Allocations. (The Planning Board’s decision serves as a recommendation to the City Council.)*

• Approved a Conditional Use Permit and Site Plan for DBS Holdings, LLC, Assessor’s Map B, Lot 2, zoned R-40, located at 512 Sixth Street. Proposal is to build five (5) single-family dwellings that includes three (3) units previously approved through TDR and site grading improvements that will result in approximately 2,926 square feet of wetland buffer impacts. *(COND-2024-0034 and SITE-2024-0018)

• Continued to future meeting the consideration and possible posting on the proposed Amendments regarding Chapter 170 (Zoning Ordinance). 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 webpage.*

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.