Are you still following us?

This month I blogged about interviewing planners for jobs, traffic calming, and master plan work. Did you read them at our new site? http://dovernhplanning.tumblr.com/

Traffic Calming Entry

Learn more about traffic calming in this week's blog: http://dovernhplanning.tumblr.com/

New Blog Post

We are shifting over to tumblr for the blog. Today's is on 6 elements of planning. Check it out at: http://dovernhplanning.tumblr.com/post/23542753063/basic-planning-building-blocks or just follow the blog itself at http://dovernhplanning.tumblr.com

April Recount

Below is the report that the Department submitted to the City Manager for April:

FY2012 CITY COUNCIL EXPECTATIONS OF CITY MANAGER

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 154 Facebook (City of Dover NH Planning) friends and 300 followers on Twitter @DoverNHPlanning).

During the month of April, four (4) Planning blog posts were drafted, one looking at the relationship between planning and home improvements, two reviewing the Director of Planning and Community Development’s recent trip to the National Planning Conference. The final covered the March report to the Manager.  The blog had over 400 page views in the month of April, which brings the total page views to over 10,400 for the blog.

The Department of Planning and Community Development promoted the Dover Community Trail through the facebook fan page for the trail (with 311 fans), as well as a Sustainable Dover facebook fan page for the trail (with 136 fans).

The Director of Planning and Community Development filmed two promotional videos for Dover Download to air on Channel 22. The videos highlight the Dover2023 Community Visioning project, and upcoming Planning Board workshop topics.

The Director of Planning and Community Development and Assistant City Planner attended the thirteenth annual Dover Pride Clean Up Day, produced by Dover Main Street. The Director served as the City’s liaison with Main Street and its volunteers, and the Assistant City Planner worked alongside residents in cleaning up areas of Henry Law Park.

The Department of Planning and Community Development held three community input sessions in April as part of its Dover 2023 Community Vision project. The three were neighborhood meetings at the three elementary schools (April 10, 12 and 16). These meetings further refined and prioritized the visions elements that had been expressed at the March meetings. The information will be refined further at the May 1 and May 5^th communitywide meetings.

The Director of Planning and Community Development was a featured speaker at the Dover Chamber of Commerce’s Government Affairs meeting. At this meeting the Director spoke about Dover 2023, and about planned transportation projects in Dover.

8. Attend workshops and participate in other education opportunities to further continuing professional development.

In April, Planning and Community Development staff participated in one (1) seminar. The topic was developing leadership skills. The focus was on informing Baldridge based institutions on ways to review and improve systems.

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.

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 April, the group visited Concord as part of Government Day.

The Director of Planning and Community Development attended the National Planning Conference, produced by the American Planning Association. This four day conference focused on rethinking planning initiatives and modernizing systems and techniques to communicate ideas to the public. The Director attended sessions on funding opportunities, using zoning maps to convey more than just zoning boundaries, climate change, innovative web page and tablet tools to communicate plans and planning to the public, and sessions on management strategies to bring efficiencies to plan review processes.

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.

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. This included attending the City Council workshop reviewing the infill opportunities.

12. Complete the implementation of the ongoing energy efficiency improvements and provide periodic reports of energy savings.

Johnson Controls, Inc. (JCI) has completed the first quarter energy report for the City. JCI completed energy upgrades and improvements to City buildings and facilities as part of a guaranteed energy savings contract with Dover. The City is on track to save $319,463 in the first year of the contract with JCI which started in November through October, annually for a ten (10) year period. Fiscal year to date savings are $186,516. The report can be viewed at www.dover.nh.gov, under “Current City Reports.” The report is titled: Johnson Control M&V Report 1st Quarter Report

GENERAL DEPARTMENT UPDATES:

FOCUS/GOALS: 

Planning and Community Development staff worked in April with staff at COAST to review locations for bus stops and ways to improve transit frequency. The review focused on handicap accessibility and installation of bus shelters at stops. These shelters will allow users to be protected from the elements while waiting for the bus.

Planning staff continued to work encouraging participation in May’s Bike/Walk to work week. The City has hosted a free breakfast to “green” commuters for the past two years and plans on promoting the event this year, as well.

Planning staff worked with Strafford Regional Planning Commission staff to complete an application for the designation of Route 108 from the Durham line to Portland Avenue as a scenic byway promoting the mills in Dover. This application will be forwarded to the New Hampshire Department of Transportation for review and inclusion in this Federal program. Additionally, staff withed with the Commission on a Coastal Grant to review fluvial erosion concerns along the Cochecho River. Dover staff will assist the Commission with in-kind matching efforts for a grant the Commission received. Finally, Planning staff worked to educate the Commission staff regarding Dover’s Park and Ride facilities. This work included background, grants applied to fund the projects, user statistics and operations overviews.

Planning staff worked on the Community Trail, to assist in its completion. This work included working to develop bids for the construction of the connector under the Spaulding Turnpike and Whittier Falls Way. Work also included reviewing drainage and vandalism concerns along the Fisher Street to Folsom Street portion and reviewing sign needs along the whole length of the trail. Finally, staff updated trail maps online and in promotional material.

Planning staff worked with residents of the Atkinson, Belknap, Cushing and Lexington neighborhood as part of the traffic calming project contained within the CIP. This project is investigating options for traffic calming that will work best for the neighborhood. Jeffery Taylor and Associates has been retained to assist the neighborhood and staff in this project. The project is intended to be completed this summer.

In addition to the day to day activities in the Planning Department, staff facilitated the following applications before Boards and Commissions:

Planning Board

·        Continued a public hearing on renovating a former shoe factory/warehouse into 42 units of housing located at 1 Dover Street.

·        A site walk was held April 3, 2012 for the Dover Street project.

Zoning Board

·        Tabled a variance request for Salmon Falls Holdings for 46/48 Arch Street from Section 170-12 and 170-40 of the Zoning Ordinance.

o   This will allow for the erection of a 3 unit dwelling, where single family are allowed by right.

·        Granted a variance request for McQuade realty at 2 Sumner Drive from Section 170-12.A of the Zoning Ordinance.

o   This allows a Commercial Recreation facility in the Rural Industrial District.

Conservation Commission

·        A request for a NHDES Permit by Notification for John Gesek  located at 127 Spur Road. 

o   This allows a the owner to conduct work adjacent to the Bellamy River in a tidal wetland to replace six existing creosote timber pilings on a fixed pier with new pressure treated pilings in the same locations.

Transportation Advisory Commission

·        Endorsed a group of residents who wish to install walkability signs to improve pedestrian mobility in Dover.

o   This pilot project will be done in conjunction with City staff.

·        Approved a request to add a stop sign on Dover Street at Park Street.

·        Approved a request to add two stop signs on Ham Street at Park Street.

·        Approved a request to remove a one way restriction on the Woodman Park School access road.

·        Approved a request to remove a prohibition of parking on Central Avenue, southbound, near Tuttle Square (Silver Street).

Energy Commission

·        Held an organizational meeting, approving rules, identifying when meetings will occur and discussing the election of officers.

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.

Work continued on the Dover 2023 visioning sessions. Three were held at the elementary schools in April, on the 10, 12, and 16^th. These sessions sought to prioritize the results from the March meetings and to refine the direction that vision elements might direct the City to take. These elements will be further refined in May.

Review, and update as needed, the Community Development Block Grant program to ensure compatibility with Best Management Practices.

The Director of Planning and Community Development and the Community Block Grant Coordinator met with representatives from HUD to discuss changes that might be put in place, which will refine the process, while still meeting federal guidelines. These include the presentation of data and the solicitation and collection of application information.

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. The Planning Board reviewed these on April 24^th, and is continuing to support 4 of the 5 amendments.

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. The April topic is land use board orientation and sidewalks vs shoulders for roadways. The May topic will be issues facing Great Bay and the Capital Improvements Program.

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 continue to develop outreach materials for businesses on Dover’s sign regulations.

The Director of Planning and Community Development is developing an invitation to business owners. The invitation will be to meet with Planning staff and discuss the relation between developing a quality of life Dover residents would like, while being supportive of economic development.

Coordinate discussions and implementation of improved pedestrian and vehicular way finding signs in downtown Dover.

Planning staff met with residents who wish to work on this project. The project will be a pilot project, which the residents are fundraising to support.

DEPARTMENTAL COLLABORATION & ENHANCEMENTS

The Director of Planning and Community Development was selected to moderate a session on using Arts and Culture in revitalizing a community as part of this year’s New Hampshire Planner’s Association annual conference in May. The session will be the closing session.

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

· Willand Pond

· Silver Street reconstruction request for proposals.

· Nelson Street reconstruction request for proposals.

· Centennial Drive

· Property at the intersection of Ham and Park Streets

· 99 Columbus Avenue

· Olive Meadow Lane

Planning staff worked with land owners of property at the following locations on development or redevelopment opportunities:

• NH Coffee on Sumner Drive
• Spruce Lane
• 544 Tolend Road
• 37 Dover Point Road
• 28 Dover Point Road
• Thornwood Commons project
• 6 Dover Point Road
• Temple Israel
• 44 Arch Street
• 1 Washington Street
• 23 Horne Street
• Various properties owned by Robbins Auto Parts Realty
• Properties at the intersection of Oak Street and Central Avenue.
• The Herbal Path
• Property on Dover Neck Road
• Property on lower Central Avenue
• Dover Community Garden
• Dover Fields project on Durham Road.

DEPARTMENTAL ACKNOLWEDGEMENTS

LA Impressions Part II

Today was day four in LA. I decided to skip the conference lunch and explore my surroundings on foot. The LA Convention Center is in Downtown LA, which like many downtown areas in spread out cities, is almost a misnomer. I get the impression that LA is a city of neighborhoods, and not a City, in the more traditional sense.

I wanted to see what the downtown area was like, so I used Google Places to find a restaurant that was 2 miles away and plotted a not so direct route to walk there. On the way I passed through quite a few districts or areas, and saw some really great architecture. This conflicted with my initial impressions of LA having the sort've anywhere USA building styles.

As with many cities, the turn of the century to pre WWII buildings have incredible character and are really ornate and interesting to walk by and experience. I really enjoyed the walk and the round about way, while annoying Google Navigation, on my phone, was really a great opportunity to see a consistent and reinforced urban feel.

If you are ever here, I suggest Pershing Square. This park, near the central library, is very different than the normal park or square you experience in say a New York. It is an event center as well as a recreational spot. It is a good mixture of hard scape and land scape and it includes an underground parking facility as well as public transit hubs and while I couldn't do it justice with photos there is a very unique public bathroom here, too. In a way it reminds me of the sculpture garden in Seattle.

I had to laugh quite a few times about signage. Some makes so much sense, I wonder why it isn't more prevalent in other cities. As you move down a street, mid block there are signs to give you a heads up about the cross street you are coming to. This is so simple and an obvious benefit for visitors to your community. The reverse of this is the ever present wall sign. I am not talking the simple business name on the wall, but whole sides of tall buildings, including my hotel. I'll upload a photo when I get back, but for now, check out this image (older but still similar). Walking along today, I saw two crews on different buildings painting these signs.

I can only imagine the sign review process for these signs.

Tomorrow I am finishing the conference with four sessions in the morning, and then a mobile workshop in Orange County. It will be interesting to get out of the City and check it out. I am sure, like everywhere else I have visited here, it will be a unique place with a look and feel all its own.

A comment from yesterday (thanks John), asked if I saw the Cyclivia event on Sunday. This event was amazing and if I hadn't been interested in seeing it, I couldn't have missed it. Basically, it was a seven mile block party promoting safe, car free spaces for people to flow around the city. It was really well done and from a basic premise really worked well to promote streets for all forms of travel.  

LA State of Mind

I am at the 2012 national conference for the American Planning Association. The conference, this year, is in Los Angeles. It is my first trip to LA. So far, I can see the appeals of the City, but also understand the draw backs.

For someone coming from New Hampshire, it is nice to see mountains and different environments around me. I had expected more of a homogenous environment, and while there is a dull brown color to everything, there are a lot of different climates here and environments.

What is off putting though is the amount of time you need to spend in a car to get to those different environments. It is not a shock really. We always hear about of Californian's, not just Angelenos, love their cars. This is to a whole different level. Not only are the roads clogged (it took 40 minutes to go 20 miles on Saturday - on the highway), people don't seem to walk anywhere. They get in their cars to go 2 blocks.

I have heard numerous times from people that certain roads need pedestrian safety islands, because crossing the streets is too dangerous, on certain streets in Dover. Here it feels like every crosswalk crosses 6 lanes of traffic. One thing that is very odd, for an East coaster, is that people don't jaywalk. If the pedestrian light isn't green, they don't go. It doesn't seem to matter if their are cars coming or not, people wait their turn. This just doesn't feel right to me.

What I can say about LA is that while there isn't an overall beauty or sense of place, like their is in Boston or New York, there are pockets of extreme beauty and scenery. The Santa Monica Pier is stunning, the Hollywood sign is cool, Malibu Canyon, breathtaking. Get off those paths though and it is any city USA. I am staying in Downtown LA. There are buildings here that are your typical tall glass steel skyscrapers. They don't have a feel or look to them. On the other hand I spent part of today on a tour of  architecture along the famous Wilshire Boulevard. There are some stunning examples of Art Deco buildings here and they should be tops on peoples lists of things to check out.

One real eye opener: the prevalence of unhealthy food. I had this myth of Californians eating healthy and vegetarian, and being fit and trim. Well if Angelenos are fit and trim it is thanks to exercise. In New England cities, there is a Dunkin Donuts on every corner. Here there is a Winchells Donuts on every corner, and then a local mom and pop place mid block. If you want something a bit more substantial, there are hamburger places and hot dog stands evenly spread between the donut shops. I get that there is a car culture and that burgers epitomize that, but wow. For my waist line, it is a good thing I can't eat donuts. I'd come home 10 pounds heavier.

So those are my first impressions of the City.

Those and the fact that for a place that sees over 350 days of sunlight, the first day I was here, Friday, it poured, which was odd. That and the fact that I packed only shorts, and it hasn't been much warmer than 60s, has thrown me off. I was expecting heat and more heat. This is the Southwest, right?

This blog entry is a bit short, but I'll write more over the next few days with other thoughts and impressions.

March (Planning) Madness

Below are the activities that the Department of Planning and Community Development undertook in March of 2012.

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 151 Facebook (City of Dover NH Planning) friends and 300 followers on Twitter @DoverNHPlanning).

During the month of March, two (2) Planning blog posts were drafted, one previewing the Dover 2023 Community Visioning process. The second covered the February report to the Manager.  The blog had over 320 page views in the month of March, which brings the total page views to over 10,000 for the blog.

The Department of Planning and Community Development promoted the Dover Community Trail through the facebook fan page for the trail (with 301 fans), as well as a Sustainable Dover facebook fan page for the trail (with 128 fans).

The Director of Planning and Community Development filmed three promotional videos for Dover Download to air on Channel 22. The videos highlight the Dover2023 Community Visioning project, upcoming Planning Board workshop topics, and the adoption of the Open Space and Conservation chapter of the Master Plan.

The Department of Planning and Community Development held four community input sessions in March as part of its Dover 2023 Community Vision project. The first meeting was held March 10, at the Dover Middle School. Following the kick off meeting, staff held neighborhood meetings at the three elementary schools (March 13, 14 and 22). These meetings were designed to gather input from attendees on how they see Dover evolving over the next 10 plus years. As part of the Dover 2023 sessions, staff used technology to ask participants questions with instant feedback through the use of the City’s electronic polling software.

In addition to the Dover 2023 sessions, Planning staff developed a survey which allows participants to answer similar questions to those being asked at the sessions, and partake in the process if they cannot attend the meetings.

As part of the Dover 2023 outreach, staff participated in an editorial board meeting with Foster’s Daily Democrat and appeared on Open Mike with Mike Pomp on WTSN.

The Director of Planning and Community Development was a featured speaker at the Dover Chamber of Commerce’s forum on the challenges and opportunities that are a result of Dover’s continued growth and development. This forum occurred on March 14 in the McConnell Center.

Finally, this month the Department of Planning and Community Development sent out 32 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 March, Planning and Community Development staff participated in one (1) webinar. The topic was economic opportunities with an aging population.

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 March, the group visited various arts and culture destinations in Portsmouth, accompanied an air refueling flight with the Air National Guard out of Pease ANGB and visited Stonewall Kitchen’s facility ion York Maine as part of Economic Development 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.

The Director of Planning and Community Development was a featured speaker at the Local Energy Solutions conference held in Penacook NH, on March 31, 2012. The Director was a member of a panel discussion focused on best practices by local governments for promoting energy infrastructure improvements and conservation in both municipal and community methods.

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.

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.

12. Complete the implementation of the ongoing energy efficiency improvements and provide periodic reports of energy savings.

Johnson Controls, Inc. (JCI) has completed the first quarter energy report for the City. JCI completed energy upgrades and improvements to City buildings and facilities as part of a guaranteed energy savings contract with Dover. The City is on track to save $319,463 in the first year of the contract with JCI which started in November through October, annually for a ten (10) year period. Fiscal year to date savings are $186,516. The report can be viewed at www.dover.nh.gov, under “Current City Reports.” The report is titled: Johnson Control M&V Report 1st Quarter Report

GENERAL DEPARTMENT UPDATES:

FOCUS/GOALS: 

Planning and Community Development staff worked in March with staff at COAST to review locations for bus stops and ways to improve transit frequency, such as the use of a device which would allow public transit busses to have a priority at traffic lights. COAST is reviewing if this implementation is allowed by the State of New Hampshire and will advise staff. This work is part of a larger discussion on ITS (Intelligent Transportation Systems), which works to improve transportation corridors to improve flow and lessen pollutants.

Planning staff worked on early stages of participation in May’s Bike/Walk to work week. The City has hosted a free breakfast to “green” commuters for the past two years and plans on promoting the event this year, as well.

Planning and Community Development staff worked in March to review extraction permits in Dover. These permits are required for property owners to operate a gravel pit in Dover. Annually these permits are reviewed by staff and approved by the Planning Board. The work in March was preparing for the reviews in April, by meeting with pit owners to layout the process and discuss opportunities for improvement in the process.

In addition to the day to day activities in the Planning Department, staff facilitated the following applications before Boards and Commissions:

Planning Board

·         Approved the Community Development Block Grant action plan for FY13. This will be forwarded to the City Council for adoption in April.

·         Held a public hearing asking the public for input on land use regulations the Board might want to review.

o   None were suggested

·         Held a public hearing on the Conservation and Open Space chapter of the Master Plan

o   This was adopted unanimously by the Board after the hearing.

·         Approved a site plan for the Dover Housing Authority to create a parking lot addition for housing on Union Street.

·         Held a public hearing on renovating a former shoe factory/warehouse into 42 units of housing located at 1 Dover Street.

o   The public hearing was recessed and a site walk was scheduled for April 3, 2012.

·         Approved a Minor Lot Line Adjustment for two parcels located on Wentworth Terrace.

o   No new lots were created.

·         Approved a Minor Subdivision of land on Gulf Road.

o   1 new lot was created using the Kings Highway private driveway.

·         Granted a Conditional Use Permit to allow for a shared parking for a new restaurant to be developed where the former “Blockbuster Video” was located on Webb Place.

o   The space will be divided into a “Five Guys” restaurant and a retail space.

Zoning Board

·         Granted a variance for Dover Flower Studio LLC at 652 Central Avenue from Section 170-12.A of the Zoning Ordinance.

o   This will allow for the erection of a 11 square foot projecting sign, where freestanding signs are not allowed by right.

·         Granted a special exception to Dover Flower Shop LLC at 652 Central Avenue from Section 170-12.A of the Zoning Ordinance.

o   This allows a neighborhood sized retail use to be placed where a retail use had previously operated.

Conservation Commission

·         A revision to a previously supported NHDES Minimum Impact Expididted Permit was endorsed for the New Hampshire Department of Transportation located at Hilton Park (Little Bay Bridge Project).

o   This will allow for the impact of 200± sq. ft. of shore land to construct a natural gas pipeline by means of a horizontal directional drill under Little Bay/Piscataqua River.  Revision is to construct 113 feet of gas pipeline to connect to the existing gas transmission line.  Buffer impact was endorsed by Conservation Commission on December 12, 2011.

Transportation Advisory Commission

·         Denied 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 the traffic calming project on Atkinson, Belknap, Cushing and Lexington Street

·         Reaffirmed a request to replace a “Yield” sign on Pierce Street with a “Stop” sign

Energy Commission

·         Held an organizational meeting, approving rules, identifying when meetings will occur and discussing the election of officers.

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 meeting on Wednesday, March 28.  The Committee reviewed the outcomes of the March kick off meeting, held March 10, and the neighborhood meetings held March 13, 14 and 22^nd. Additionally, the committee discussed the survey that is available, and the work to be completed as part of the April meetings.

The Open Space and Conservation chapter of the Dover Master Plan was approved by the Planning Board on March 27, 2012. The Chair of the committee, Lee Skinner, presented the revised chapter to the Planning Board at a workshop on March 13, 2012 

Review, and update as needed, the Community Development Block Grant program to ensure compatibility with Best Management Practices.

As the FY2013 CDBG fund allocation process is underway, Planning Staff is working on documenting the process and investigating areas for improvement. One current revision has been to the format the information is presented to the Planning Board.

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 presented them to the Planning Board on March 13, 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. The March topic was the Conservation and Open Space Master Plan. The April topic is land use board orientation and sidewalks vs shoulders for roadways.

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 continue to develop outreach materials for businesses on Dover’s sign regulations.

The Director of Planning and Community Development is developing an invitation to business owners. The invitation will be to meet with Planning staff and discuss the relation between developing a quality of life Dover residents would like, while being supportive of economic development.

Coordinate discussions and implementation of improved pedestrian and vehicular way finding signs in downtown Dover.

Planning staff met with residents who wish to work on this project. Staff is reviewing the wayfinding plan that the Dover Main Street organization completed previously.

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

·  Willand Pond

·  Silver Street reconstruction request for proposals.

·  Harvest Place

·  Appaloosa Drive

Planning staff worked with land owners of property at the following locations on development or redevelopment opportunities:

• NH Coffee on Sumner Drive
• Spruce Lane
• Technical Review for 1 Dover Street (43 Unit Apartment)
• Technical Review for Union Street (parking lot)
• 475 Tolend Road
• 37 Dover Point Road
• 28 Dover Point Road
• Thornwood Commons project
• Ross Furniture
• 11 Webb Place
• 44 Arch Street
• 1 Washington Street
• 2 Washington Street
• Various properties owned by Robbins Auto Parts Realty
• Property at the intersection of Oak Street and Central Avenue.

DEPARTMENTAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The Director of Planning and Community Development was invited by the NH Local Government Center to develop a series of lectures on the success Dover has had with innovative land use regulations for the fall Municipal Law Lecture series. This series will be throughout the state and occur in October and November.