On November 29, 2023 Plan NH partnered with UNH Cooperative Extension, New Hampshire Housing, and the City of Dover to organize a community visit and networking opportunity for the grantees of the InvestNH Municipal Planning & Zoning Grant Program. Nearly 30 grantees from as far away as Colebrook joined us to learn more about how the City of Dover is implementing creative planning tools to help increase housing opportunities for current and future community members. Community Housing Navigator Ryan Pope presented on various strategies including Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) and led us on a walking tour of Downtown Dover. We saw and learned about several different housing related developments, from higher-end market rate apartments to mixed income developments to an impressive historic preservation of an old court house that will have over 50 residential units and retail space when complete.
After our tour, we gathered at Chapel + Main for a beverage and some after hours networking between grantees. We also had the privilege of hearing from Chapel + Main owner Ben Lord about the importance of housing for small business owners, particularly in the service industry which can struggle to attract and retain staff when there is a lack of attainable housing. It was a great event and we look forward to partnering on more community visits after the winter hibernation. Thank you to all of the hosts, partners, and attendees who made this a great event, and special thank you to Plan NH Member Hoyle Tanner for sponsoring the after hours networking portion for our grantees! Who doesn’t love a drink ticket?
See event photos here.
