By LESLIE MODICAlmodicafosters.comlmodica@fosters.com
Article Date: Friday, November 7, 2008
DOVER — It could be a wrap for the city's waterfront committee Monday following what is expected to be the final meeting before approving an extensive set of design guidelines for the project.For the Cochecho Waterfront Development Advisory Committee, which has met for the past 16 months, the final meeting is a major milestone and an indication that an official agreement between Dickinson Development Corp. and the city may be forthcoming.
But before the committee can adjourn for the final time, members must agree on a few changes to the drafted design guidelines and vote to make the 72-page document official.The majority of the changes are minor, such as replacing "must" with "should" in a few instances, but the changes would also add a stipulation for the city that any design changes forced by state or federal regulations must be approved or denied by the committee or the Dover Housing Authority, which has legal purview over the project for the city, within 15 days.
The changes also remove a numerical requirement for additional common open space beyond the required two-acre public park in the development.The design guidelines previously required four such common spaces, but if the change is approved, the guidelines will only define a common space and stipulate that if included, they will include at least two benches and a widened path.
Although the design guideline report addresses the various expectations for different portions of the project, most of it focuses on the design principles the committee thinks should apply to the entire project, regardless who has purview.
They include promoting an urban character, maintaining a design relationship to downtown, developing the project to the natural grading and topography, ensuring continuity of streets and sidewalks in both private and public areas and varying the character of the landscape.
The document also lays out several specific guidelines for both public and private portions of the development, including guidelines for landscaping and building designs.
The committee previously held two public hearings on the proposed design guidelines; however, both of the meetings were sparsely attended, and the little public comment that did occur did not directly result from specific guidelines.However, comments from Eric Steltzer, the chair of the city's Energy Advisory Committee, did spark discussions among committee members about the level of requirement for energy efficiency in the development.
The committee ultimately decided it would encourage energy efficiency, but would not make any mandates.This discussion also prompted a letter to the committee from local resident Otis Perry, who said he was disappointed in the decision to use a voluntary approach to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification.
Perry added that he was concerned a requirement for a variety of building styles would lead to "stereotypic facades, which look like a movie set of Disney village."Although the committee has held the final public hearings for the design guidelines of the project, Monday's meeting will still include an opportunity for input during Citizen's Forum.
Once the Cochecho Waterfront Development Advisory Committee approves the guidelines and the LDA is signed, the developers will still have to get final approval from the Technical Review Committee and Planning Board, as well as several state and federal agencies that oversee permitting requirements. The committee will meet Monday at 5 p.m. in the City Council Chambers.
The draft design guidelines are available on the city's website, www.ci.dover.nh.us, at the bottom of the home page under "Important Information."
