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Crazy Architecture by Victor Enrich
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In Focus: The Golden Gate Bridge Turns 75
Sunday marked the 75th anniversary of the opening of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge. Before...
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USA TODAY wrote about U.S. city rankings by Walk Score who bases their analysis on transit...
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The City just announced that 15-mph school speed limits are now up around 181 schools,...
The Board approved: an amendment to a subdivision, & CDBG program funding.
Agenda: http://1.usa.gov/XBnyx6
Below is the account of activities and events that that the Planning Department was a part of in March, 2013.
Assist the City Manager in fulfilling the expectations established annually by the Mayor and City Council by routinely identifying, recommending and/or implementing necessary actions within and across departmental lines of authority;
Routinely seek to achieve and maintain the highest standards of operational performance in accordance with recognized accreditation programs and established best practices for specific municipal services by implementing policies, processes and/or programs;
The Department of Planning and Community Development worked in March to review all applications and forms the department uses, to ensure they are modern and streamlined.
Regularly identify, recommend and pursue operational efficiencies resulting in reduced costs and/or improved services by establishing and utilizing performance measures to adjust operating procedures and/or realign organizational resources;
Support and implement energy reduction initiatives that reduce operation costs and/or have reasonable payback periods associated with reductions in energy/fuel consumption;
The Department of Planning and Community Development continued to oversee the monitoring and verification stage of the infrastructure improvements and be involved with the continuing work at the Wastewater Treatment Facility. Staff expects a report documenting the monitoring and verification of the completed year one improvements to be submitted soon, and will publish it online once received.
Consistently seek and advocate for opportunities to consolidate and/or share services with City and School Departments, other governmental agencies and/or private sector entities in order to eliminate duplication, improve efficiencies and maintain/enhance service quality;
The Planning and Community Development staff worked with Mr Dal Santo, who oversees Dover’s JROTC Program. Mr. Santo and staff developed opportunities for JROTC cadets to work on the Community Trail and other community based projects. The Community Trail was improved on March 15th and 16th by 10 cadets. The work included brush removal, and erosion control.
As requested, or as deemed necessary, prepare oral and written reports for the City Manager pertaining to policy matters, legislative actions, operational concerns or project needs that effectively communicate issues involved and provide recommended courses of actions with alternatives and expected results;
No reports were requested in March from the Department of Planning and Community Development.
Project and maintain staffing levels within budgeted allocations and as deemed essential to balance core staff needs with overtime expense to include evaluating all positions vacancies as they occur throughout the year for organizational realignment or reassignment of responsibilities;
During the month of March, the Department of Planning and Community Development did not expend any overtime resources.
Periodically review and update safety policies and provide regular recurring training for employees and volunteers to minimize risk and related cost associated with workplace injuries and/or damage to public or private property;
Continuously monitor budget performance and adjust operations as necessary to maintain expenditures below established appropriations and, as circumstances may arise, inform City Manager of potential budgetary related concerns along with recommendations for further action;
The Director of Planning and Community Development monitored the budget to ensure that the department did not over expend its budgeted funds.
Maintain accessibility and routinely seek to proactively engage and communicate with the public to learn of concerns, as well as, inform and educate regarding community issues by regularly attending and participating in public meetings, neighborhood forums, community events and addressing community organizations and media.
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 210 Facebook (City of Dover NH Planning) friends and 385 followers on Twitter @DoverNHPlanning).
During the month of March, nineteen (19) Planning blog posts were drafted; highlights include looking at the ongoing gateway zoning project, an update on the Master Plan, and the February City Manager’s report. The blog has been relocated to http://dovernhplanning.tumblr.com and had over 100 page views in the month of March, which brings the total page views to over 12,000 for the blog.
The Department of Planning and Community Development promoted the Dover Community Trail through the Facebook fan page for the trail (with 455 fans), as well as a Sustainable Dover facebook fan page (with 150 fans).
The Director of Planning and Community Development and the Assistant City Planner attended hearings on two bills before the NH State Senate. The bills look to create a committee to review climate change in the Great Bay region and to add provisions to the State Statutes related to Master Plans to allow for the inclusion of Coastal Management as a chapter in a Master Plan. Staff spoke in favor of both bills.
The Director of Planning and Community sent out 23 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.
Specific to Planning Department:
1. Utilizing LEAN practices, evaluate and streamline plan review and other office processes to improve operational efficiencies and administrative accountability.
The Director of Planning and Community Development and City Planner attended the first of three LEAN training sessions.
2. Assist with ongoing performance benchmarking effort in conjunction with Centers for
Performance Measurement.
The Director of Planning and Community Development completed an consensus review of an application for the Baldrige Award, as part of work with the NH Quality Council. This review covered 7 areas of the Baldrige performance excellence program. The consensus review was in preparation for a site visit in April.
3. Ensure timely preparation and presentation of the FY14 – 19 Capital Improvements Program.
The City Council approved the FY14-19 CIP on December 12, 2012.
4. Assist in advocating support by local community for an Adaptive Management Plan approach to the Great Bay water quality concerns avoiding potential EPA mandates that disrupt responsible land use development throughout the region.
The Planning Department supported the Community Services Department in its work on the EPA mandate, by answering planning related process questions. Additionally, Planning staff are reviewing improvements that might be made to the City’s stormwarter ordinances to address limitations of contamination caused by stormwater discharges.
5. Collaborate with other City Departments and the School Department to ensure that the Master
Plan remains a focus of City operations, including the review and update of chapters as needed.
The Director of Planning and Community Development gave a presentation to the City Council on March 6 of the Master Plan chapters and the proposed implementation of the Visioning chapter, which the City adopted in 2012.
6. 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 Director of Planning and Community Development continued to work with the Economic Development Director and Parking Manager to review responses to the Request for Proposals relative to the redevelopment of the First Street parking lot.
GENERAL DEPARTMENT UPDATES:
FOCUS/GOALS:
This past July, the City of Dover was awarded a $50,000 Community Planning Grant from the New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority to review the form and function of the corridors leading into the City of Dover’s downtown area, and to suggest infrastructure and zoning amendments to continue the economic and community vitality of these areas. The grant funding is being used to hire a consultant to perform the work which includes defining the gateways to Dover’s downtown, reinforcing the community’s work on sustainability, reinforcing transit oriented development along Central and Portland Avenues and Broadway, and creating a positive environment of the development of affordable housing within walking distance of transit, employment and retail centers, etc.
On March 2 the second of two Charettes was held. This charette focused on two roadways, Silver Street and Central Avenue. Comments and feedback on all six roadways were accepted and gathered. Approximately 30 people attended this first session and gave valuable and useful feedback. This second charette was postponed from February 9th to March 2nd, due to inclement weather. Additionally, staff collected feedback via a survey which asked residents about development and travel along the roadways. Over 120 people responded to the survey. Dennis Lynch was randomly selected to receive the $50 gift certificate from Main Street for taking the survey, and submitting his name.
Planning staff worked on the Community Trail in March. This work included working with the Navy Junior ROTC program to identify ways cadets can be involved in cleaning and maintain the trail in the spring of 2013. Additionally, staff worked to secure three quotes for work on the trail between Whittier St and the Spaulding Turnpike. This work includes finalizing the trail and crossing a ravine located in the area with a bridge structure.
The Department of Planning and Community Development continues to work with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to investigate climate adaptation and how it impacts communities. The Department and MIT worked on reviewing outreach and education opportunities as well as reviewed a preliminary report on the project, which focused on setting a baseline for existing conditions. These conditions were reviewed in conjunction with the City’s Hazardous Mitigation Plan.
The Director of Planning and Community Development met with representatives from Strafford Regional Planning to review and give input on Dover and Regional projects contained within the State of New Hampshire’s Ten Year Transportation Plan. These projects include bridge replacements, on Oak Street, Central Avenue and Chestnut Street, improvements to First Street and Chestnut Street and the work the State is implementing on the Little Bay Bridge and Spaulding Turnpike.
In addition to the day to day activities in the Planning Department, staff facilitated the following applications before Boards and Commissions:
Planning Board
· Approved a request by Public Service of New Hampshire to trim and remove trees and brush along the right-of-way of scenic roads (Old Garrison Road and Rochester Neck Road)
· Approved a Conditional Use Permit request from Liberty Mutual,
o This would allow construction of additional parking with wetlands and wetlands buffer encroachments. at 100 Liberty Way.
· Approved a Site Plan request from Liberty Mutual,
o This would allow construction of additional parking with wetlands and wetlands buffer encroachments at 100 Liberty Way.
· Approved a Minor Lot Line Adjustment for Gary Guppy, Debra Leahy, Dennis Guppy, Sandra Paige & Nancy Rouleau and David and Linda Gosselin & Jennie Exas.
o This merged one lot into two others at 128 & 130 Grove Street, Maple Street and Snow Avenue.
· Held a public hearing and endorsed a citizen petition to rezone property on Rutland Street
o This would rezone a portion of a lot from R-12 to I-1
· Held a public hearing and endorsed a citizen petition to rezone property on Littleworth Road
o This would rezone a 6 acre lot from R-20 to B-4
· Held the public hearing for the CDBG grant allocations.
o Public service organizations were invited to present their applications.
Zoning Board
· Did not meet in March
Conservation Commission
· Endorsed a Wetlands Permit request from Karl Leinsing
o This would allow replacement of a 240 square foot dock with a plastic floatalong the Bellamy River at 77 Spur Rd.
Transportation Advisory Commission
· Discussed crosswalk safety concerns at Portland and Roger:
· Discussed changes to Chapter 166 of the City Code
· Discussed a request to limit parking on Watson Road in the area of Sandpiper Drive.
Energy Commission
· Discussed:
o RGGI legislation
o DEC brochure
o DEC website, logo and other materials
o DEC e-mail address
o Apple Harvest Day
o Transportation Advisory Committee
o COAST proposal
o Spring meeting of land use committees
o Rotary presentation
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
· Henry Law Park
· Various lots on Eden and Dolores Drives
· 30 Dover Point Rd
· 23 Oak St
· Thornwood Ln
· Lika Drive
· Childs Drive
Planning, Engineering and Public Works staff worked with COAST to review opportunities to improve bus stop shelter locations. This project will allow the City to leverage time and money to install upgraded shelters at 7 locations in Dover. COAST will donate, and install, the shelters and the City will prep the sites for the shelters. The work has included scouting ADA compliant locations and reviewing opportunities to improve traffic flow and accessibility around existing bus stops in Dover.
The Planning Department reviewed and offered input on the Silver Street reconstruction plans. The review included implementing pedestrian improvements, lighting improvements and signage improvements the length of Silver Street. The Community Services Department is the contact with Underwood Engineering on this project.
The Planning Department working with the Police and Community Services Departments interfaced with a local civil engineer to review opportunities to improve the midblock crosswalk on Chestnut Street, between Third and Fourth Streets. This crosswalk has been the site of accidents in the past and the staff is working to develop a safe alternative, which will be presented to the Transportation Advisory Commission in April for review.
The Director of Planning and Community Development attended two meetings of the Police Department’s New station building committee. These meetings covered location options, construction and delivery options, and drafting and reviewing a request for qualifications to hire an architect.
Planning staff worked with land owners of property at the following locations on development or redevelopment opportunities:
- 44 Arch Street
- 385 Sixth Street
- 387 Sixth Street
- 500 Sixth Street
- Tuttle Square
- Property on Locust Street
- Property on Watson Road
- 239 Knox Marsh Road
- Property on Littleworth Road
- Property on Thornwood Lane
- Property on Silver St
- Property on Mast Rd
- Property on Cold Springs Rd
- 20-22 Cushing St
- 333 Central Ave
- 25 Piscataqua Road
- Property on Village Drive
DEPARTMENTAL ACKNOLWEDGEMENTS.
The Director of Planning and Community Development and the Assistant City Planner were invited to be featured speakers at the NH Office of Energy and Planning’s spring conference, May 11. The Director will lead a 3 hour discussion on roles and responsibilities of Planning Boards, and the Assistant City Planner will partake in a role playing scenario involving Zoning Board members.
As part of ongoing efforts to enforce the City’s sign regulations, the Department of Planning and Community Development is working to bring the City’s many temporary A-frame signs into compliance. An overabundance of signage, particularly A-frames and other temporary signs, can quickly become visual clutter and a safety hazard. The City’s zoning ordinance requires a permit for all temporary A-frame signs.
Permits obtained for businesses located in the Central Business and Cochecho Waterfront Districts are valid for one year. Permits obtained for A-frame signs located in the Thoroughfare Business District and the Gateway District are valid for six months, but are available to new businesses only. In all other zoning districts, A-frame signs are strictly prohibited.
”The City recognizes A-frame signs are an effective marketing tool for our business owners,” said Timothy Corwin, Assistant City Planner. “But it’s important that these signs comply with our regulations to ensure that they are used safely and are aesthetically pleasing, particularly in our downtown.”
The City recently made significant progress in reducing illegal off-site temporary signage. While its focus is now turning to unpermitted A-frame signs, the Planning Department won’t begin enforcement action until it has had time to educate Dover’s businesses.
“We understand that many of our businesses are not aware of our A-frame regulations and have invested in signs to display,” said Planning Director Christopher Parker.
As a courtesy to the City’s business community, the City is implementing an “amnesty” period through June 30, 2013. Parker added during this time the Planning Department will focus on education rather than enforcement.
As of July 1, 2013, all A-frame signs on display in the City of Dover must have an approved sign permit. Applications require a $50 fee and are available in the Planning Department office, Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., or online.
For more information about A-frame sign regulations or the “amnesty” period, contact Corwin at 516-6008 or e-mail t.corwin@dover.nh.gov.
The City of Dover Planning Department thanks everyone who participated at the February 2nd and March 2nd design sessions for the Gateway Rezoning Study. Approximately 20-30 property owners, residents and other stakeholders attended each of the sessions. “We were happy with the turnout and even happier with the input we received,” said Christopher Parker, Planning and Community Development Director.
Participants were asked how and to what extent the gateways leading into downtown (i.e. Central Ave. Portland Ave, Broadway, Sixth Street, and Silver Street) should change or develop over time. With the help of a team of planning and architecture professionals, detailed concept designs were produced showing ways the study areas might be (re)developed, based on the input of the participants.
Since the direction of this project is driven entirely by public participation, a survey has been made available to gather additional feedback from the public regarding their thoughts on the concept designs prepared at the February 2nd and March 2nd sessions. “We want to be as certain as possible that what the design team put together earlier this month and in February is truly reflective of what the community wants to see,” said Parker.
The survey (which follows a prior on-line survey regarding the Gateway Rezoning Study) is available on-line until April 8th on the Planning Department’s website (http://www.dover.nh.gov/planhome.htm). A short video explaining the survey and other aspects of the project is also available now on Channel 22 and OnDemand on the City’s website.
Following the close of the survey on April 8th, the City’s consultant will begin to draft regulations that reflect the consensus developed at the design sessions and throughout other public engagements. The draft regulations are expected to be made available for public comment and review later this year.
For more information, please contact the Planning Department at 516-6008 or email Chris Parker, Director of Planning and Community Development at c.parker@dover.nh.gov or Tim Corwin, Assistant City Planner at t.corwin@dover.nh.gov.
@ http://svy.mk/XXvJSK you can provide feedback on concepts developed so far
Notes & concepts from the design sessions were added
Agenda:http://1.usa.gov/W3utwa | Map: http://goo.gl/maps/pPY6i
Below is the report submitted to the City Manager for the month of February.
Assist the City Manager in fulfilling the expectations established annually by the Mayor and City Council by routinely identifying, recommending and/or implementing necessary actions within and across departmental lines of authority;
Routinely seek to achieve and maintain the highest standards of operational performance in accordance with recognized accreditation programs and established best practices for specific municipal services by implementing policies, processes and/or programs;
The Department of Planning and Community Development worked in February to review all applications and forms the department uses, to ensure they are modern and streamlined.
Regularly identify, recommend and pursue operational efficiencies resulting in reduced costs and/or improved services by establishing and utilizing performance measures to adjust operating procedures and/or realign organizational resources;
The fourth and final City of Dover energy performance report was delivered from Johnson Controls, for 2012, shows a savings of $317,642. The savings are the result of energy-saving measures implemented by Johnson Controls, and outlined in a report as part of the company’s 10-year energy performance contract with the City. The report, as well as the previous quarter’s report, is available on the City’s website (www.dover.nh.gov) under Current City Reports. The report is titled “Johnson Control M&V Report Contract Year One Report” referring to the completion of calendar year.
Support and implement energy reduction initiatives that reduce operation costs and/or have reasonable payback periods associated with reductions in energy/fuel consumption;
The Department of Planning and Community Development continued to oversee the monitoring and verification stage of the infrastructure improvements and be involved with the continuing work at the Wastewater Treatment Facility. Staff expects a report documenting the monitoring and verification of the completed year one improvements to be submitted soon, and will publish it online once received.
Consistently seek and advocate for opportunities to consolidate and/or share services with City and School Departments, other governmental agencies and/or private sector entities in order to eliminate duplication, improve efficiencies and maintain/enhance service quality;
The Planning and Community Development staff worked with Mr Dal Santo, who oversees Dover’s JROTC Program. Mr. Santo and staff developed opportunities for JROTC cadets to work on the Community Trail and other community based projects.
As requested, or as deemed necessary, prepare oral and written reports for the City Manager pertaining to policy matters, legislative actions, operational concerns or project needs that effectively communicate issues involved and provide recommended courses of actions with alternatives and expected results;
No reports were requested in February from the Department of Planning and Community Development.
Project and maintain staffing levels within budgeted allocations and as deemed essential to balance core staff needs with overtime expense to include evaluating all positions vacancies as they occur throughout the year for organizational realignment or reassignment of responsibilities;
During the month of February, the Department of Planning and Community Development did not expend any overtime resources.
Periodically review and update safety policies and provide regular recurring training for employees and volunteers to minimize risk and related cost associated with workplace injuries and/or damage to public or private property;
Continuously monitor budget performance and adjust operations as necessary to maintain expenditures below established appropriations and, as circumstances may arise, inform City Manager of potential budgetary related concerns along with recommendations for further action;
The Director of Planning and Community Development monitored the budget to ensure that the department did not over expend its budgeted funds. The Planning staff is working with Finance Department staff to review copying costs and ensure that the printing and binding budget is being adhered to.
Maintain accessibility and routinely seek to proactively engage and communicate with the public to learn of concerns, as well as, inform and educate regarding community issues by regularly attending and participating in public meetings, neighborhood forums, community events and addressing community organizations and media.
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 210 Facebook (City of Dover NH Planning) friends and 385 followers on Twitter @DoverNHPlanning).
During the month of February, thirty (302) Planning blog posts were drafted; highlights include looking at the ongoing gateway zoning project, a recap of 2 Planning books read in the month, and the January City Manager’s report. The blog has been relocated to http://dovernhplanning.tumblr.com and had over 100 page views in the month of February, which brings the total page views to over 12,000 for the blog.
The Department of Planning and Community Development promoted the Dover Community Trail through the Facebook fan page for the trail (with 438 fans), as well as a Sustainable Dover facebook fan page (with 149 fans).
The Director of Planning and Community sent out 18 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.
Specific to Planning Department:
1. Utilizing LEAN practices, evaluate and streamline plan review and other office processes to improve operational efficiencies and administrative accountability.
The Director of Planning and Community Development reviewed opportunities to streamline and develop LEAN practices within the Department. Opportunities include Impact Fee collection and disbursement,
2. Assist with ongoing performance benchmarking effort in conjunction with Centers for
Performance Measurement.
The Director of Planning and Community Development completed an consensus review of an application for the Baldrige Award, as part of work with the NH Quality Council. This review covered 7 areas of the Baldrige performance excellence program.
3. Ensure timely preparation and presentation of the FY14 – 19 Capital Improvements Program.
The City Council approved the FY14-19 CIP on December 12, 2012.
4. Assist in advocating support by local community for an Adaptive Management Plan approach to the Great Bay water quality concerns avoiding potential EPA mandates that disrupt responsible land use development throughout the region.
The Planning Department supported the Community Services Department in its work on the EPA mandate, by answering planning related process questions. Additionally, Planning staff are reviewing improvements that might be made to the City’s stormwarter ordinances to address limitations of contamination caused by stormwater discharges.
5. Collaborate with other City Departments and the School Department to ensure that the Master
Plan remains a focus of City operations, including the review and update of chapters as needed.
The Department of Planning and Community Development began the process of updating progress made implementing the Master Plan recommendations. This is in preparation for a workshop in March to review progress and the overall Master Plan.
6. 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 Director of Planning and Community Development continued to work with the Economic Development Director and Parking Manager to review responses to the Request for Proposals relative to the redevelopment of the First Street parking lot.
GENERAL DEPARTMENT UPDATES:
FOCUS/GOALS:
This past July, the City of Dover was awarded a $50,000 Community Planning Grant from the New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority to review the form and function of the corridors leading into the City of Dover’s downtown area, and to suggest infrastructure and zoning amendments to continue the economic and community vitality of these areas. The grant funding is being used to hire a consultant to perform the work which includes defining the gateways to Dover’s downtown, reinforcing the community’s work on sustainability, reinforcing transit oriented development along Central and Portland Avenues and Broadway, and creating a positive environment of the development of affordable housing within walking distance of transit, employment and retail centers, etc.
On February 2 the first of two Charettes was held. This charette focused on two roadways, Portland Avenue and Broadway. Comments and feedback on all six roadways were accepted and gathered. Approximately 30 people attended this first session and gave valuable and useful feedback. The second charette was postponed from February 9th to March 2nd, due to inclement weather. Additionally, staff collected feedback via a survey which asked residents about development and travel along the roadways.
Planning staff also worked on publishing and promoting the recently completed community profile for the City. This profile, available under Current City Reports on the web site, and off the Planning Department’s web page has demographic information as well as statistics about the City that are intended to inform residents, property owners and businesses about the City.
Planning staff worked on the Community Trail in February. This work included working with the Navy Junior ROTC program to identify ways cadets can be involved in cleaning and maintain the trail in the spring of 2013.
In addition to the day to day activities in the Planning Department, staff facilitated the following applications before Boards and Commissions:
Planning Board
· Approved a Subdivision for Salmon Falls Holdings LLC (Owner: Salmon Falls Holding and Hank and Jacqueline Brandy)
o This will allow a total of 11 units, on 4 lots, where 5 units on 2 lots exist today.
· Approved a Conditional Use Permit for Bennett Holmes, (Owner: John Gesek)
o This would allow construction of a retaining wall and concrete patio within 100 feet of the Bellamy River at 127 Spur Rd.
· Approved an amendment to a previously approved Site Plan (2/28/06) for Dover Retirement Residence, LLC/Maple Suites
o This would allow for additional lighting to be added to the driveway
· Tabled a Conditional Use Permit request from Liberty Mutual,
o This would allow construction of additional parking with wetlands and wetlands buffer encroachments. at 100 Liberty Way.
· Tabled a Site Plan request from Liberty Mutual,
o This would allow construction of additional parking with wetlands and wetlands buffer encroachments. at 100 Liberty Way.
Zoning Board
· Approved a request for a variance for STF Development (Owner: Prime Circle LLC), to establish 6 units where 3 -4 are allowed in the RM-U District, by special exception.
o This will allow the replacement of two structures on 1-3 George Street by one 6 unit structure, facing Hanson Street, with parking off George St.
· Approved A request for a variance to allow an addition to a single family home to be 7.8 feet back from the front lot line, where 10 feet is required.
o This will allow an expansion of an existing single family home to be made along the same plane that the existing home sits on.
Conservation Commission
· Approved a Conditional Use Permit request from Bennett Holmes, (Owner: John Gesek)
o This would allow construction of a retaining wall and concrete patio within 100 feet of the Bellamy River at 127 Spur Rd.
· Approved a Conditional Use Permit request from Liberty Mutual,
o This would allow construction of additional parking with wetlands and wetlands buffer encroachments. at 100 Liberty Way.
Transportation Advisory Commission
· Endorced a four-way stop request at Grove and Hough
o The Police Department will draft ordinance and will inform residents which Council meeting date to expect.
· Discussed crosswalk safety concerns at Portland and Roger:
o Staff will review options to present at the March meeting.
· Discussed a crosswalk petition from Cocheco Park: resident Mary Hassan.
o TAC recommended immediate measure to add advance crosswalk warning sign on the southerly approach.
o TAC endorsed additional recommendation for staff to ensure that consultant includes this location in the downtown infrastructure review.
· Discussed pros and cons of proposed Broadway location for the Soap Box Derby.
· Councilor Weston was re-elected as Chair.
Energy Commission
· Discussed:
o Developing a brochure
o Conducting a sidewalk inventory
o Collaboration opportunities with the Planning Board and other City groups
o DEC presentations at Rotary, Chamber of Commerce
o A potential tree-planting project
o Arts Commission/bus shelter project
o A potential Community science café project
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
· Cardinal Drive
· Henry Law Park
· Various lots on Eden and Dolores Drives
· 30 Dover Point Rd
· 23 Oak St
The Director of Planning and Community Development attended two meetings of the Police Department’s New station building committee. These meetings covered goal setting, location options and construction and delivery options.
Planning staff worked with land owners of property at the following locations on development or redevelopment opportunities:
- 20-22 Washington Street
- 44 Arch Street
- 385 Sixth Street
- 387 Sixth Street
- Property on Watson Road
- Property on Dover Point Road
- 1-3 George Streets
- Property on Dover Point Road
- Property on Water Street
- 67 Watson Road
- Property on Thornwood Lane
- Property on Ciello Drive
- Property on Silver St
- 90 Drew Rd
- 27 Cushing St
- 333 Central Ave
DEPARTMENTAL ACKNOLWEDGEMENTS
The Director of Planning and Community Development attended a UNH lake management class. This class, on February 28th, was an opportunity for the Director to discuss the progress made by the City on Willand Pond, and to speak with students about the different environmental land use regulations that the Planning Board reviewed post 2007/2008 when the cyanobacteria outbreak occurred.
Presentation: http://1.usa.gov/VKQsJp | Update: http://1.usa.gov/YPacHm
