Dover Zoning Decisions: September 2026

In September 2026, Dover held 6 public meetings covering zoning matters. 11 zoning decisions had a recorded outcome this month: 6 approved (86% approval rate), 1 denied, 4 deferred. Activity was up 7% compared to August (389 activity items across 5 meetings).

Zoning Decisions This Month

Appeal of Administrative Decision at 30 Tuscany Drive

Denied.

Chris Stevens of 14 Isaac Lucas Circle appealed the administrative decision to issue building permit 2026-0068 for construction on parcel M91-C50 at 30 Tuscany Drive, raising disputes over an easement/road, subdivision approval, frontage, and a hydrant. The city attorney argued the board lacked jurisdiction (RSA 676.5) as no misinterpretation of the zoning ordinance was asserted, and that the appellant lacked standing. Motion to deny the appeal based on the ZBA lacking jurisdiction over statutory interpretation and naming of a way passed unanimously.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Minor subdivision at 53 Cataract Avenue

Approved.

Bondcliffe Holdings, LLC (owner Fergus Cullen) proposed a minor subdivision of the parent parcel at 53 Cataract Avenue (Assessors Map 14, Lot 6, zoned R-12) to create one new lot directly east. Applicant obtained two ZBA variances: reduced road frontage to about 71.35 feet instead of 100 feet, and reduced lot area of about 7,264 square feet instead of 12,000 square feet. Plan is to demolish the older non-conforming duplex unit (55), renovate remaining unit (53), and build a new single-family home on the new lot. Board first voted to accept the application and declare no regional impact, then approved with conditions.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Fence Height Variance at 12 Cody Drive

Approved.

Diane E. Schenever Revocable Living Trust at 12 Cody Drive (tax map L, lot 58X, low-density residential R20 district) requested a variance from section 170-51A to construct a fence 10 feet in height where 8 feet is the maximum allowed. The fence would be 22 feet in length (reduced from 24) after concerns from an abutter at 16 Cody Drive. A court order required the most aggrieved abutter to assent. Motion to grant the variance passed unanimously.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Site plan for two single-family homes at 89 Stark Avenue

Approved.

Site plan review for Corey McCool, Assessor's Map 17, Lot 38, zoned R12, located at 89 Stark Avenue. Proposal to construct two single-family homes utilizing TDR with site improvements, plus renovation of existing single-family home, for three total units. Approved unanimously with staff conditions including a deed restriction barring conversion to duplexes.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Site plan for six townhouse units at 1-24 Jefferson Drive

Approved.

Site plan for 6 Brick Road LLC, assessor's map 28, lot 9C, zoned office and gateway, located at 1 to 24 Jefferson Drive. Proposal to construct six townhouse-style residential units in two buildings using TDR (four units purchased) for a maximum of 30 units on the lot. Approved unanimously with staff conditions; condition to add trees modified to apply only along the 751 Central property line.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Acceptance of application and no regional impact for 1-24 Jefferson Drive townhouses

Approved.

Motion to accept the application for six townhouse units at 1 to 24 Jefferson Drive (6 Brick Road LLC) and declare no regional impact. Approved unanimously.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Road width waiver for 1-24 Jefferson Drive townhouses

Approved.

Waiver from Chapter 153.14C2 for minimum road width for 5-24 units; applicant proposing 22-foot road width. Staff found criterion two met. Approved unanimously with conditions.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Chapter 170 Zoning Ordinance amendments (TDR, CUP, home occupations, ADUs, data centers)

Deferred.

Second public hearing on proposed amendments to Chapter 170 Zoning Ordinance covering transfer of development rights, conditional use permit criteria, customary home occupations, accessory dwelling units, data centers, solar/green roof standards, duplex conversion definitions, and setbacks. Board directed staff to pull the amendment removing CUP/stormwater requirements for two-unit projects in the secondary groundwater protection district, to retain the data-center amendment (converting IT-zone data centers from by-right to conditional use) pending a future subcommittee, and to revise the duplex conversion footprint limit to 50% of existing footprint or maximum ADU area, whichever is greater. Board voted to continue to October 13, 2026 at 7 p.m.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Showing the 8 most significant of 11 recorded zoning decisions. See all Dover meetings →

Top Keywords This Month

• duplex: 70 instances
• zoning: 48 instances
• conditional use: 35 instances
• adu: 30 instances
• subdivision: 25 instances

What to Watch

• Duplex mentions were up 169% from August.
• Zoning came up 50% more often than August.
• Adu saw 76% more mentions month-over-month.
• Subdivision increased 317% compared to August.

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