Street Trees Around Dover | |
This summer, 15 trees have been planted in downtown Dover as part of the ongoing implementation of the Central Business District (CBD) Street Tree Plan, created in 2021. The planting project involved coordination between Urban Forestry Fellow John DesRoches, Resilience Manager Jackson Kaspari, Superintendent of Facilities, Grounds, and Cemetery Mark Colonna, and Parking Manager Bill Simons.
The project aimed to enhance the urban canopy by planting trees in various locations around the downtown core. This included planting in empty tree boxes, replacing trees in poor condition, and adding greenery to areas with little to no tree cover. The newly planted trees can be seen along Central Avenue, Second Street, and Fifth Street.
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Urban Forestry Fellow John DesRoches overseeing street tree plantings on Fifth Street. | |
Careful consideration has been put into species selections due to the environment that street trees inhabit which can involve poor drainage, limited sunlight, concentration of car exhaust and animal waste, and the presence of public infrastructure that can incur damage from tree roots and branches as well as interfere with tree growth. The species planted this summer include: red maple, elm, honey locust, hornbeam, Japanese zelkova, lilac, ginkgo, and serviceberry. | |
Looking ahead, Dover's street tree focus will shift to addressing the many ash trees infested by the emerald ash borer which will include a public outreach campaign on the effort.
The Planning Department would also like to extend our sincere thanks to John DesRoches for his efforts this summer on enhancing Dover’s urban canopy and beautifying the city! DesRoches joined the City of Dover's Planning Department for the summer as an Urban Forestry Fellow, facilitated by the University of New Hampshire’s Sustainability Institute. His commitment to implementing the CBD Street Tree Plan has been sincerely appreciated, and we are grateful for the time he spent with us. Thanks, John!
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Planning Department at National Night Out | |
The Dover Police Department hosted its annual National Night Out event on Tuesday, Aug. 6, at the police station. The event, which was free and open to the public, provided an opportunity for community members to meet with police officers, tour the station, learn about crime prevention and safety and interact with other city departments and organizations in Dover.
The Planning Department was present at the event, answering questions and discussing several ongoing projects such as the update to the Conservation and Open Space Chapter of the Master Plan, Dover Community Trail, and various housing initiatives. Housing Navigator Ryan Pope and Outreach Coordinator Erin Bassegio were available to provide information and engage with the community on these initiatives.
If you were unable to attend National Night Out but would like to hear more about the work of the Planning Department, please reach out Erin Bassegio at e.bassegio@dover.nh.gov.
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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:
Where would you like to see more street trees in Dover?
Submit your responses here: https://polco.us/f8pnbs
Here are the results from the last poll, which asked, "Do you participate in any of the following composting methods?"
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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 Police Lt. Marn Speidel, the traffic coordinator from the department, and Kelley Tidball from the Police Records Bureau about the process of obtaining permits for community events in Dover.
The podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and by clicking here.
| Results of Recent Meetings | |
Arts Commission, 8/5/2024
The Arts Commission met on Monday, Aug. 5, where it:
- Heard a presentation from artist Markus Weinfurter on a proposed sculpture project;
- Discussed updates for ongoing projects such as Art Beat, Keep Dover Wild, and the Commission's work with various other public bodies like the Graffiti Committee and Community Trail Advisory Committee.
Click here to find the complete agenda, where minutes will be posted when available.
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Community Trail Advisory Committee, 8/6/2024
The Community Trail Advisory Committee met on Tuesday, Aug. 6, where it:
- Reviewed ongoing projects such as the Phase IV Trail expansion, public art on the Trail, and outreach events;
- Discussed visioning and goals for the Community Trail.
Click here to find the complete agenda, where minutes will be posted when available.
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Conservation Commission, 8/12/2024
The Conservation Commission met on Monday, Aug. 12, where it:
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Endorsed a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for Our Place, Inc., Assessor’s Map H, Lot 6-4, zoned R-20, located at 105 Durham Rd. Proposal is to remove an existing gravel lot and revegetate the majority of the area creating 7,800 square feet of impact while reducing the impervious area by 4,000 square feet in the 50-foot wetland buffer.
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Endorsed a CUP for a NHDES Minimum Expedited Wetlands Permit for Andrew Koellmer, Assessor’s Map L, Lot 14-L, zoned R-20, located at 59 Spur Rd. Proposal is to construct an addition to a residential home, creating 256 square feet of permanent impact to the Conservation District. These applications are additionally contingent upon the approval of a Lot Line Adjustment by the Dover Planning Board.
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Endorsed CUPs and NHDES Standard Dredge and Fill Wetlands Permit, for Heath J. Todd Trustee, Heath J. Todd Revocable Trust, Assessor’s Map M, Lot 104, zoned R-40, located off of Back Road. Proposal is to create an access drive to the developable portion of the lot and construct a tidal docking structure. The project will permanently impact 8,880 square feet of wetlands, 29,176 square feet of the 50-foot wetland buffer, and 1,110 square feet of the Conservation District.
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Endorsed a CUP and NHDES Minor Impact Wetland Permit for Edward J. & Lydia N. Williams, Assessor’s Map L, Lot 44, zoned R-20, located at 167 Spur Rd. Proposal is to re-develop the lot including the demolition of the existing structures, constriction of a new home and reconfiguration of other site elements creating 2,798 square feet of permanent impact and 3,316 square feet of temporary impact to the Conservation District. Within the Conservation District area there is also 4,790 square feet of impact to the 50 foot-wetland buffer and 226 square feet of permanent impact to wetlands.
Click here to find the complete agenda, where minutes will be posted when available.
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Zoning Board of Adjustment, 8/15/2024
The Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA) met on Thursday, Aug. 15, where it:
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Denied a Variance for applicant Boudreau Land Surveying, (Owner: Richmond Street Properties, LLC), 17 19 Richmond St., Tax Map 10, Lot 144, located in the Heritage Residential District (HR). The applicant requested a Variance from Section 170-12 HR District 3-4 Family Dwelling Creation, where 4 living units are allowed, to continue having 5 living units. *(ZONE-2024-0034)
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Approved a Variance for applicant Civilworks New England, (Owner: 17-19 Summer Street Properties, LLC), Locust Street, Tax Map 12, Lot 35-1, located in the Heritage Residential District (HR). The applicant requested clarification of a previously approved Variance from Section 170-12, HR District 3-4 Family Dwelling Creation/Conversion CUP criterion D, where parking lots are required to be at least five (5) feet from a side property line. *(ZONE-2024-0035)
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.
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DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
CITY OF DOVER NEW HAMPSHIRE
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City Hall, 288 Central Avenue
Dover, NH 03820
(603) 516-6008
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Monday - Thursday
8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Friday
8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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