Planning Board elects officers and sets goals

posted on: 1/19/2018

Each year the Dover Planning Board elects officers and reviews and sets goals for the coming year. This goal-setting is accomplished at the first meeting of the year. For 2018, the Board began the process on Jan. 9, 2018. To start the meeting, the Board re-elected Kirt Schuman as Chairperson and Gina Cruikshank as Vice Chairperson.

In setting goals, the Board reviews potential amendments to land use regulations, which planning staff has provided. These amendments pertain to the City’s zoning ordinance, site review regulations and subdivision of land regulations. In the past this review has resulted in addressing the need to allow Accessory Dwelling Units, adjust setbacks and review allowed uses in a particular zone.

For 2018, the Planning Board will be reviewing the Zoning Ordinance to consider amendments to:

• Impact fees
• Rezone urban areas to enhance opportunities for mixed-use development
• Review options to enhance opportunities for affordable single-family homes
• Revise the lot coverage and similar requirements in the downtown
• Remove barriers to accessibility enhancements for existing properties
• Remove barriers to maintaining and restoring non-conforming structures
• Explore options for rezoning land to encourage commercial growth

For 2018, the Planning Board will be reviewing the Site Regulations to consider amendments to:

• Enhance landscaping on projects, and the long-term health of said landscaping
• Consider amendments to the fiscal analysis required for multi-family projects
• Amend roadway design requirements to include roundabout specifications
• Amend lighting requirements in the urban core
• Merge the driveway regulations into the site plan review regulations to remove any contradictory language

For 2018, the Planning Board will be reviewing the Subdivision of Land Regulations to consider amendments to:

• Enhance landscaping on projects, and the long-term health of landscaping
• Consider amendments to the fiscal analysis required for single-family projects
• Review options to enhance opportunities for affordable single-family homes
• Review Open Space Subdivision regulations to ensure the spirit and intent are being met

In addition, the City has received a grant to develop design guidelines for the downtown zoning district. These guidelines will be used by the Planning Board to review potential new buildings as they are proposed and they seek to enhance the community’s heritage and require context based designs. This process will begin this spring with public input on features and designs.

This process should unfold over the early part of 2018, with public engagement taking place as regulations are considered and drafted. Any input and is welcome to the Planning Department via email at Dover-Planning@dover.nh.gov, in person at City Hall or by calling the department at 516-6008.

The Planning Board meets at City Hall the second and fourth Tuesday of the month (except in July, August, November and December), beginning at 7 p.m. Meetings are streamed live and available on demand at https://dovernh.viebit.com/.