Dover Board of Appeals opens special-permit hearing for 45 Pine Street, schedules site walk and continued session

The Dover Board of Appeals on July 9 opened a special-permit hearing on an application by Dori and Todd Barclay to increase the height of a non-conforming garage at 45 Pine Street by adding a second story while keeping the existing footprint.

Chairman George Chimento read the public advertisement and explained that the requested relief would be considered under Dover Bylaw §185-56 and that changes to a non-conforming lot are governed by §185-13. He told applicants the Planning Board’s site-plan review, if it applies under §185-36, would be advisory to the Board of Appeals and that a favorable decision by the Board would not be conditioned on receipt of a Planning Board opinion.

Mr. Barclay told the Board the house and garage were built in 1910, before zoning, and that the property does not meet current frontage and sideline requirements. "This addition would only be an extra room for family use and would not provide independent living facilities," he said, clarifying the project was not intended to create an accessory-dwelling unit.

Associate Member Michael Donovan, an engineer, said the maps provided by the applicants were difficult to read and Mr. Barclay agreed to provide clearer PDF plans and more detailed drawings if the Board proceeded favorably. Neighbors Bob and Donna Metaform of 2 Ben Arthur's Way attended and told the Board they had no objection provided the work is limited to what the applicants described.

After discussion, the Board unanimously voted to schedule a site walk for Monday, July 20, 2026 at 7:30 a.m. and to continue the hearing on Thursday, August 20, 2026 at 7:10 p.m. The Board asked the applicants to supply clearer plans and clarified that if the applicant later proposes an ADU, a separate process with the Planning Board would be required.

The Board will reconvene the hearing on Aug. 20; applicants were instructed to submit legible plans before that session.