Dover Zoning Decisions: May 2026

In May 2026, Dover held 6 public meetings covering zoning matters. 14 zoning decisions had a recorded outcome this month: 11 approved (92% approval rate), 1 denied, 2 deferred. Activity was up 157% compared to April (148 activity items across 2 meetings).

Zoning Decisions This Month

Subdivision frontage and area variances at 53 Cataract Avenue

Denied.

Four variances from Section 170-12 R12 table of use to subdivide a 0.44-acre parcel (Tax Map 14, Lot 6) into two lots, each with nonconforming frontage of ~94 feet where 100 feet is required and nonconforming area of ~9,500 sq ft where 12,000 is required. Applicant/owner Fergus Cullen (Morgan and Eileen Allen Irrevocable Trust). Denied on vote due to setback conflicts with the existing structure on the proposed lot line and insufficient information; abutter Alexander Temple submitted opposition.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Compliance hearing - Cullen minor subdivision at 566 6th Street

Deferred.

Compliance hearing for the approved TDR minor subdivision at 566 6th Street (Fergus and Jennifer Cullen), which created three lots with five residential units. Five trees were found removed from the 30-foot no-cut buffer. Board continued the hearing to May 26 at 7 p.m. and required the applicant to hire a New Hampshire licensed landscape architect to submit a restoration plan addressing the matters raised, the three marked dead trees, and the driveway tree. Passed unanimously.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Buffer restoration compliance at 566 6th Street

Approved.

Compliance with conditions of approval for minor subdivision for Fergus and Jennifer Cullen, assessor's map B lot 4F, zoned R40, at 566 6th Street. Board approved plan to remove three dead white pines, implement Steiner's landscape plan of five replacement trees plus one additional tree (as surety against potential removal of a tree on the buffer line, subject to city arborist approval), remove unauthorized infill before CO, and find compliance with zoning and subdivision regulations.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Conditional use permit at 63 6th Street

Approved.

Conditional use permit for Aiden Ahern, owners Thomas and Aiden Ahern, assessor's map 30 lot 45, zoned RMU, at 63 6th Street. Repair existing foundation, reconstruct bulkhead, regrade and install permeable patio resulting in ~575 sq ft temporary and ~950 sq ft permanent impacts to the conservation district within 50 feet of Berry Brook. Approved with conditions.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Transfer of development rights at 26 Maple Street

Approved.

TDR application for Maple Sugar Investments, LLC (Dan Sheehan), assessor's map 30 lot 15, zoned RMU, at 26 Maple Street. Applicant requested to purchase four residential units for a total of eight (existing four-unit structure). Board approved only two additional units for a maximum total of six, replacing the barn. Concerns raised over parking, Berry Brook buffer impacts, and neighborhood density.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Frontage and build-to-line variances at 260 Dover Point Road

Approved.

Three variances (two identical frontage variances plus a build-to-line variance) from Section 170-12B R20 table of use to allow subdivision of Tax Map L, Lot 98A into two lots for a single-family dwelling. Both proposed lots to have ~100 feet of frontage where 125 feet is required, and a build-to line of 100 feet where 35 feet maximum is permitted. Applicant is Daniel G. Gabriel Trust; unanimous approval with six conditions.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Side-setback and lot-coverage variances at 1517 New York Street

Approved.

Two variances from Section 170-12B RMU table of use to reconstruct a two-family dwelling on the previous building's footprint (destroyed by fire in 2024/2025) with an east side setback of 1.92 feet where six feet is required, and 47.2% lot coverage where 40% is required. Applicant Lane Major, owner of 1517 New York Street; unanimous approval with one condition.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Build-to-line variance at Long Hill Road

Approved.

One variance from Section 170-12B R12 table of use to construct a single-family home plus or minus 70 feet beyond the maximum build-to line where 35 feet is the maximum permitted. Applicants Ryan A. Hardin and Melissa L. Wheeler, Tax Map A Lot 18B4 (Long Hill Road, near 143 Long Hill Road). Justified by topography requiring a gravity-fed septic leach field in the front. Unanimous approval, no conditions.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Showing the 8 most significant of 14 recorded zoning decisions. See all Dover meetings →

Top Keywords This Month

• variance: 40 instances
• residential: 37 instances
• density: 32 instances
• zoning: 30 instances
• setback: 29 instances

What to Watch

• Variance is new this month with 40 mentions, not present in April.
• Residential came up 95% more often than April.
• Zoning saw 200% more mentions month-over-month.
• Setback is new this month with 29 mentions, not present in April.

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