Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Special Permit Strawberry Hill topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Dover Board of Appeals authorizes draft decision on Strawberry Hill horse‑barn special permit
Summary
The Dover Board of Appeals voted April 9 to approve in concept a special permit for 15–19 Strawberry Hill Street that would relocate and reconstruct nonconforming structures and allow a barn and manager's house, and authorized the chair to prepare a draft decision for final vote on May 7, 2026.
On April 9, 2026, the Dover Board of Appeals opened and reviewed a special‑permit application from Zeal Dover, LLC for 15–19 Strawberry Hill Street that would relocate and reconstruct preexisting nonconforming structures and build a barn with facilities for show horses and on‑site caretakers. Chairman George Chimento read the public advertisement and noted the request is for a permit under Dover Bylaw §185‑52; the application seeks a result similar to a special permit the Board issued on Dec. 14, 2021 that has since expired.
Attorney Vincent O'Brien, representing the applicant, summarized the proposal and identified two substantive changes from the prior approval: the barn design reduces the number of stalls from 16 to 15, and the current application asks to raze both cottages on the property and replace them with a single manager’s two‑bedroom house rather than leaving one cottage intact. The applicant described plans for on‑site care of show horses and supporting facilities.
Anne Reitmayer, chair of the Dover Historical Commission, told the Board that the two cottages proposed for removal are not of historical significance but stressed that any work on the main house or the on‑site “schoolhouse” would remain subject to the Commission’s review. Neighbors attended in force; the minutes record general support for the project alongside constructive requests that the applicant save trees where possible, avoid advertising a commercial operation, and prevent high‑traffic commercial activity in the neighborhood.
After discussion, the Board determined to approve the special permit request in concept but said a final, written decision was required for formal approval. On a unanimous vote, with associate members concurring, members voted to authorize Chairman Chimento to prepare a draft decision and circulate it to the Board for consideration and finalization at its next meeting on May 7, 2026.
The Board cited Dover Bylaw §185‑13 in noting that it must determine whether a proposed change to a nonconforming use is substantially different in character or more detrimental to the neighborhood than the current use. The draft decision will memorialize any conditions the Board imposes before a formal filing is made with the Town Clerk.
