Wondering what we did in February, in the Planning Department? Wonder no more, just read on...
4.
Continue to communicate with the community through hosting of periodic ward and
neighborhood meetings such as quarterly Dover Discussions along with exploring
new methods to increase interaction and participation by citizens in local
governance and community forums.
The Department of Planning and Community Development
continued to update its blog, face book page and twitter feed to communicate
with the public. The Department of Planning and Community Development has 145
Facebook (City of Dover NH Planning) friends and 294 followers on Twitter
@DoverNHPlanning).
During the month of February, four (4) Planning blog posts
were drafted, including one on explaining zoning amendments the Council
adopted, one reviewing the EPA Nitrogen Loading requirements currently under
review, one discussing the Dover 2023 Community Visioning process. Finally, the
January report to the Manager was included.
The blog had over 370 page views in the month of January.
The Department of Planning and Community
Development promoted the Dover Community Trail through the facebook fan page
for the trail (with 295 fans), as well as a Sustainable Dover facebook fan page
for the trail (with 126 fans).
The Director of Planning and Community
Development filmed a promotional video for Dover Download and to air on Channel
22. This video highlights the Dover2023 Community Visioning project.
The Director of Planning and Community
Development was a guest on WTSN’s Open Mike on February 27, 2012. The topic was
the upcoming Community Visioning project.
The Director of Planning and Community Development attended
the EPA public hearing on the City’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination
System (NPDES) permit, The Director spoke as part of the City’s presentation on
the implications a 3% nitrogen load might have on smart growth and other
planning initiatives the City has undertaken.
The Director of Planning and Community Development attended
the ward 1/3/6 Citizen Speak Out session on February 23, 2012 at Langdon Place.
Finally, this month the Department of Planning and Community
Development sent out 28 letters to new homeowners congratulating them on their
purchase, as well as informing them of the current zoning for their property
and alerting them to the various methods the department uses to inform and
update the public.
8.
Attend workshops and participate in other education opportunities to further continuing
professional development.
In February, Planning
and Community Development staff
participated in one (1) webinar. The topic was regulating sand and gravel mining.
In February, Planning
and Community Development staff
participated in four (4) tele-seminars. The topics all related to creating
healthy communities and how planning activities can work to develop healthy
lifestyles for residents.
The Director
of Planning and Community Development continued as one of the 35 participants
in the Leadership Seacoast program. This program is 9 full days, spread out
over 4 months, designed to challenge personal assumptions about critical issues
while exploring diverse ideas, resources and practices. This is all done with a
focus of the seacoast region. In February, the group visited Spaulding High
School, in Rochester, as part of Education Day.
The Director of Planning and Community Development continued
to be part of the team developing conference topics and themes for this year’s
New Hampshire Planner’s Association annual conference in May.
9.
Develop a closer working relationship with the School Department and all other
City Departments. Further explore and pursue opportunities where City and
Schools can combine and/share services for the benefit of the community and
report to the City Council.
The Planning Department followed up with
the School Department on the projects that had been included in the Capital
Improvement’s Program. The follow up was both to understand the projects that
may begin as part of the FY 2013 authorization, but also included a review of
potential projects for FY14 – 19.
10.
Support local businesses to aid in the community’s economic growth by working
in conjunction with local economic development groups and business
organizations.
The Director of Planning and Community Development continued
to work with the Economic Development Director to review the proposed infill
development proposal and its revisions, as presented by River Valley
Development.
Planning and Community Development staff worked with the
Economic Development Director to identify potential business stakeholders who
might participate in the Dover 2023 project.
GENERAL DEPARTMENT
UPDATES:
FOCUS/GOALS:
Planning
and Community Development staff conducted an A-Frame sign sweep, the week of 20th
through 24th of February. This sweep was developed to review
potential illegal A-Frame signs that might exist in the City. As a result
Planning staff will work with business and property owners to better understand
the City’s sign regulations.
The
Planning Department continued to work towards completion of the Community
Trail. In February work on the trail included working towards an easement
agreement with two abutters to the trail, as well as coordinating two separate
grants to secure funds for extensions of the trail toward the south of Fisher
Street.
Additionally,
the Director of Planning and Community Development worked with Timberland, Inc
on developing a scope for a work day that will be held in Dover to celebrate
Earth Day. This scope included reviewing sections of the trail to have
volunteers work on and potential projects along the canoe launch installed in
2011.
In
addition to the day to day activities in the Planning Department, staff
facilitated the following applications before Boards and Commissions:
Planning Board
·
Granted
a Conditional Use Permit to allow Seacoast Kettlebell to relocate from their
existing Central Avenue location into an industrial space located at 23 Horne
Street.
·
Held
a public hearing on applications submitted by public service organizations to the
City for an allocation of funds granted to Dover by the Department of Housing
and Urban Development.
o
14
applications have been submitted for public service and public facilities
funding.
·
A
Conditional Use Permit was granted for Michael and Shelby Brewer located on
Fourth Street
o
This
will allow encroachment into the wetlands buffer for a house and driveway.
·
Granted
a one year extension for a major subdivision approved in 2006.
o
This
is a four lot subdivision off Tolend Road on a private road.
·
Granted
approval for Graystone Builders (owners Lionel and Kristina Paradis) to
subdivide land on Tolend Road.
o
This
subdivision will create 4 lots, along the existing roadway.
§
No
new road will be created.
Zoning Board
·
Granted
a variance for STF Development Corp. at 39 Dover Point Road from Section
170-12.A of the Zoning Ordinance.
o
This
will allow construction of 8 townhouse residences, with shared access to the
adjacent parcel
·
Granted
a variance for South Dover Investment Group at 37 Dover Point Road from Section
170-12.A of the Zoning Ordinance.
o
This
amended a prior variance approval to allow for 32 units, and removed the requirement for congregate care,
to provide that the units on the first floor be occupied by residents age 55 or
older, to remove the age restrictions for the second and third floors, and to
remove the requirement that food service be provided.
·
Granted
a variance for The Housing Partnership (Owner Sydney Robbins Trust). at 1 Dover
Street from Sections 170-12A and 170-12B of the Zoning Ordinance.
o
This
will allow construction of 42 apartment residences within an existing
warehouse.
o
This
will allow a reduction in the amount of passive open space required on site
from 4300 square feet to 2600 square feet.
o
This
will allow the structure to exceed the height restrictions in the district by
12 feet (currently the building exceeds the height by 10 feet).
Conservation Commission
·
A
Conditional Use Permit was endorsed for Michael and Shelby Brewer located on
Fourth Street
o
This
will allow encroachment into the wetlands buffer for a house and driveway.
Transportation Advisory Commission
·
Continued
to review a request from a resident to install a yield sign at the intersection
of Spruce Lane and Garrison Road (in favor of Garrison Road).
·
Received
an update regarding traffic hazards on Portland Avenue.
·
Discussed
regarding school transportation issues
Ensure timely preparation and
presentation of the FY13 – 18 Capital Improvements Program.
The
Capital Improvement’s Program was approved by the City Council on December 14.
Coordinate update of Land Use and
Transportation chapters of the Master Plan, through development and
implementation of Speak Out Dover and associated survey programs.
The
Master Plan Steering Committee held meetings on Tuesday, February 7, and
February 28. The Committee worked on the
survey that will be used to gather input. The work included reviewing questions
asked during the 2006 Speak Out sessions as well as the UNH Telephone Survey
that was conducted. Additionally, the community conversation, which will be
held March 10, 2012, was discussed and prepared for.
The
Conservation and Open Space Steering Committee recently completed a year long
effort to update the Conservation and Open Space chapter of the Dover Master
Plan. The committee was comprised of
members from the Conservation Commission, Open Lands Committee and other
interested members of the public. On
February 16, 2012, the Committee members voted to endorse the final draft of
the chapter and forward it onto the Planning Board for their review. The Chair of the committee, Lee Skinner, will
be presenting the revised chapter to the Planning Board at a workshop on March
13, 2012 . It is expected that the Planning Board will hold a public hearing on
the chapter on March 27, 2012.
Review, and update as needed, the
Community Development Block Grant program to ensure compatibility with Best
Management Practices.
Department of Planning and Community
Development staff continued to review how neighboring communities administer
their Community Development Block Grant programs. This review is part of the
overall review staff is completing on our program, as well as part of the
application process, which began in January and will be completed in March.
Promote streamlining plan review through
use of electronic means amongst internal staff (smart board at TRC etc).
Pricing
of the installation of a smart board in the Second Floor conference room in
City Hall has placed this project on hold.
Analyze the City Code to ensure that
City regulations encourage sustainable practices in city operations and
encourage green practices by residents and business owners.
The
Planning Board has undertaken a review of the final 5 land use amendments
suggested by the EPA Building Blocks report. These amendments act to promote
alternative energy sources, reduce the City’s carbon footprint and encouraging
use of sustainability through resource allocation. Planning staff will be
completing most of the amendments and presenting them to the Planning Board on
March 13, 2012.
The
first 10 amendments that were approved by the Planning Board are before the
City Council for its review and adoption. The City Council forwarded the
amendments to a public hearing on February 8, 2012. After the public hearing
the Council held a workshop and then approved the amendments, with a minor
addition, on February 22, 2012.
Develop educational opportunities for
staff and board/commission members that are low resource cost, whether through
staff presentations to boards/commissions, or web based education.
The
Director of Planning and Community Development worked with the Planning Board
Chair to develop an educational program for the 2012 workshops that occur the
second Tuesday of the month for Planning Board members. There are 9 workshops
scheduled with topics ranging from legislative updates, to low impact
development.
Increase outreach and education to
business and residents on benefits of infill development and transit oriented
development as means to develop and redevelop in Dover’s urban core.
The
Assistant City Planner and the Economic Development Director are working on
education and outreach material to reach out to businesses regarding Dover’s
sign regulations.
The Director of Planning and Community
Development is conducting a review of the Department’s web site and the
information contained within it and other similar sites to ensure that data is
current and valuable.
Coordinate discussions and
implementation of improved pedestrian and vehicular way finding signs in
downtown Dover.
Notes
and ideas from the May wayfinding meeting have been reviewed, by planning staff
and are being coordinated for follow up.
DEPARTMENTAL COLLABORATION & ENHANCEMENTS
Planning and Community Development staff
assisted the Community Services and Inspection staff with a review of
outstanding issues on several projects, and took the lead on reaching out to
the developers. The plans/projects are as follows:
·
Gladiola
Way
·
Nye
Lane/Pacific Landing
·
Willand
Pond
·
Silver
Street reconstruction request for proposals.
Planning staff worked with land owners
of property at the following locations on development or redevelopment
opportunities:
- NH Coffee on Sumner Drive
- 365 Sixth Street
- Technical Review for 1 Washington Street (yoga studio expansion)
- Technical Review for Olive Meadow Lane
- 1 Dover Street
- 37 Dover Point Road
- 28 Dover Point Road
- Thornwood Commons project
- 16 Industrial Park Drive
- Ross Furniture
- 11 Webb Place
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