posted on: 4/20/2018

The City of Dover Department of Planning and Community Development is pleased to announce the Planning Board will review proposed amendments to the land use code on Tuesday, April 24, 2018. Planning staff drafted the proposed changes in February and March, based on Planning Board recommendations in January.

Christopher Parker, AICP, Assistant City Manager, said this round of reviews is part of an ongoing process.

“In 2009, we reviewed the Code for the first time in four years, and realized that it didn’t need to be that way,” Parker said. “We believe that our regulations should be dynamic and reflect the community. In order to meet that goal we need to look at the regulations on a constant basis.”

Dover Planning Board to review proposed changes to land use code

posted on: 4/20/2018

The City of Dover Department of Planning and Community Development is pleased to announce the Planning Board will review proposed amendments to the land use code on Tuesday, April 24, 2018. Planning staff drafted the proposed changes in February and March, based on Planning Board recommendations in January.

Christopher Parker, AICP, Assistant City Manager, said this round of reviews is part of an ongoing process.

“In 2009, we reviewed the Code for the first time in four years, and realized that it didn’t need to be that way,” Parker said. “We believe that our regulations should be dynamic and reflect the community. In order to meet that goal we need to look at the regulations on a constant basis.”

With that in mind, a cycle was developed where the various land use boards are surveyed each winter to determine areas of the code that need review. Additionally, throughout the year, the Planning Board holds public hearings on land use amendments under consideration. In January these suggestions are brought to the Planning Board for selection at a goal-setting session. This year the Planning Board selected 11 areas of the zoning code.

In addition to the zoning amendments, staff has drafted amendments to the site review and subdivision regulations for review. According to Parker, the amendments are the result of suggestions by the Planning staff, Planning Board members, and Engineering staff. The goal of these amendments is to streamline and clarify the site review and subdivision process.

“We are constantly looking to make the process easier and clearer for the end user,” Parker said.

The zoning amendments include adjusting the setbacks in three commercial districts, renaming one district to clarify uses, and updating the impact fee section, after a consultant completed a review. Included in these amendments is an amendment to enhance the existing transfer of development rights ordinance to allow for smaller, cottage-style homes.

The site and subdivision amendments focus on enhancing landscape requirements, eliminating fiscal impact analysis and relocating the driveway regulations to be better integrated with the site and subdivision regulations. Finally, the amendments introduce guidance for roundabouts and private roadways.

The Planning Board received the amendments on March 27. The board will begin reviewing the amendments on April 24, 2018 as part of a workshop. The workshop, which is open to the public, begins at 6 p.m. in Council Chambers at City Hall. Parker hopes the board will offer feedback that night, followed by continued public input on the amendments.

“The Planning Board seeks the participation and comments from the public at every stage of the process,” Parker said.

Kirt Schuman, Planning Board Chair, added, “Here the Planning Board is seeking comments on the rezoning amendments, prior to formally holding a public hearing, which is required before voting on the amendments. The Board wants to gather feedback and adjust the amendments, if needed, prior to formalizing the process.”

Regarding the site and subdivision regulations, which will have formal public hearings at the regular meeting at 7 p.m., the amendments are less detailed than the zoning amendments, and the Board may vote on them after the public hearing.

“In Dover, the goal is to see the public hearing requirement on zoning as a minimum threshold,” Parker said. State law requires one public hearing be held. “We typically hold two if not three public hearings before the Board will vote on an amendment.”

Planning Board action is only the first step. If an amendment is approved, the process continues with public review, discussion and a public hearing before the City Council.

To view the amendments, visit the Planning office or review them online. They can be found under the Planning Department home page. Comments can be emailed to Dover-Planning@dover.nh.gov.