Fiber Frenzy Fiesta

The Dover Arts Commission recently coordinated the "Fiber Frenzy Fiesta" in the Waldron Courtyard, a vibrant public art project that brought together the community to create colorful displays using knitted, felted, and crocheted yarn.

This initiative involved collecting and assembling sections of yarn art from community members and then wrapping these finished pieces around the trees in the Waldron Courtyard. The resulting display adds a unique and artistic touch to the space, transforming it into a visually engaging environment.

The yarn art will be on display until June 30, but there will be a special highlight for the Dover Spring Fling on Saturday, May 4. As part of the Spring Fling, there will be bubbles, sidewalk chalk, and music starting at 11 a.m. in the Waldron Courtyard.

Dover Arts Commission Members assembling and installed the yarn art pieces.

This type of display is commonly referred to as graffiti fiber art, a form of street art that uses textiles instead of traditional spray paint or other materials. Graffiti fiber art has gained popularity as a way to beautify and personalize public spaces, bringing communities together through creative expression. The Fiber Frenzy Fiesta project is a wonderful example of how art can enrich and enliven public spaces.

The Fiber Frenzy Fiesta in the Waldron Courtyard.

Projects That You Want to Hear About!

Land Conservation

In the last edition of the Planning Review, we asked readers which projects in Dover they'd like to hear more about. Thank you to those who responded and we'll be providing highlights on the topics and specific projects requested.

One of those requests was for more information about land conservation. There are over 3,500 acres of conserved land in the City of Dover...and counting! The City's Conservation Commission and Open Lands Committee continue to work with interested property owners to conserve valuable habitats, wildlife corridors, open space, and more. The groups also review currently conserved land through annual easement monitoring.

Additionally, the City of Dover is involved in two projects that are analyzing past and current conservation efforts and will result in creating recommendations to further these efforts over the next ten years.

Conservation Lands in the City of Dover.

The first of these projects is the creation of a Natural Resources Inventory which is being completed by the Strafford Regional Planning Commission (SRPC) in association with the City of Dover. You can still add your voice to that project by taking the Natural Resource Survey.

The second project is the updating of the Conservation and Open Space Chapter of the Master Plan and the City is working with Resilience Planning & Design on the update project. This chapter was last updated in 2012 and encompasses the City’s long-term vision for conservation and open space and ensures it’s aligned with current environmental and community needs.

The City will be sharing updates on both projects, including more opportunities to provide feedback, in the coming weeks. If there are any questions about this information, or you would like to learn more, reach out to Outreach Coordinator Erin Bassegio at e.bassegio@dover.nh.gov.

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.

We'd love to know more projects or topics that you'd like to hear about!

Continue to submit your responses here: https://polco.us/fydnhp

Here are the results that we've received so far to the question, "Which projects that are going on in Dover would you like to learn more about?"

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 Gary Bannon, who is retiring after 34 years as the Director of Recreation for the City of Dover. They discuss Bannon's decision to retire now and his reflections on his long career with the city.

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

Results of Recent Meetings

Energy Commission, 4/17/2024

The Arts Commission met on Wednesday, April 17, where it:

• Had a discussion with Freedom Energy Logistics;

• Discussed reports on Community Power, Municipal Energy Generation, Transportation, and Net Zero;

• Heard staff updates on Solar Analysis and Siemens PDA.

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

Zoning Board of Adjustment, 4/18/2024

The Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA) met on Thursday April 18, where it:

• Approved a Variance for Applicant: Daniel Begin, 108 Mount Vernon St., Tax Map 29, lot 95, located in the Medium Density (R-12) District. The requested Variance was from Section 170-41-D, to allow for the expansion of a sunroom 6’ in a parallel direction to the lot line where the 10’ setback is allowed. *(ZONE-2024-0010) 

• Approved a Variance for Applicant: Bruton and Berube, PLLC (Owners: Lydia N. & Edward John Williams III), 167 Spur Rd., Tax Map L, Lot 44, located in the Low Density Residential (R-20) District. The requested Variance was from Section 170-12.B, to allow for a foundation and single-family residence to be built within a front yard setback of 1’ where a build-to-line of 20-35’ is required, and a side yard setback of 8’ where a setback of 20’ is required, and a rear yard setback of 11’ where a setback of 30’ building to line is required. *(ZONE-2024-0011)

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

Planning Board, 4/23/2024

The Planning Board met on Tuesday, April 23, where it:

• Approved Lot Line Adjustment for Peter and Kimberly Clairmont, Assessor’s Map J, Lots 29 and 29-2, zoned R-40, located at 303 Old Garrison Road & Old Garrison Road. *(LOTA-2024-0004)

• Approved an Extension Request for an approved Site Review Plan for Harlech, LLC, Assessor’s Map 31, Lot 5, zoned CBD-TOD, located at 47 Chestnut Street. (Proposal is to extend the period of time to seek financing). *(WAIV-2024-0005)

• Approved Conditional Use Permit and Site Plan for Future Automations, Inc. (Owner: DBIDA), Assessor’s Map D, Lot 11-8, zoned IT, located at Quality Way. (Proposal is for the construction of two (2) commercial buildings with 1,631 s.f. of wetland impact and 39,820 s.f. of wetland buffer impact). *(SITE-2024-0002 & COND-2024-0005)

• Approved Conditional Use Permit and Site Plan for Stonefield Engineering & Design (Owners: Dover Retail Management, LLC & R W Realty Inc), Assessor’s Map 38, Lots 15-A and 15-B, zoned C, located at 1-3 Webb Place and Webb Place. (Proposal is for demolition of current building and constructing a 3,300-sf bank with a drive through ATM and twenty parking spaces and CUP proposal is for additional parking beyond the maximum allowed). *(SITE-2023-0011 & COND-2023-0054)

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.