Our Place eyes housing for developmentally disabled adults in Dover. Will city OK plan?

DOVER — Our Place, a nonprofit working to provide housing opportunities and support services to adults with intellectual developmental disabilities, is proposing to convert the former Garrison City Early Childhood Daycare Center into residences.

Our Place announced a lease and option to purchase agreement for 105 Durham Road with property owner Paul Seaver. The nonprofit is seeking a variance from Dover’s Zoning Board of Adjustment to move the project forward, according to city planning records. The project will go before the board on Dec. 21.

Our Place is seeking to renovate the interior and build an addition to create eight residences for adults with intellectual developmental disabilities, while a ninth unit would be used by on-site staff. The nonprofit needs a variance because Dover's Low-Density Residential Zoning District where the building is located allows for a maximum of four dwelling units.

Big need for housing and variance is vital

Anna Boudreau, Our Place’s newly hired executive director, said the organization has 60 families on its waitlist. To date, she said, $500,000 has been raised to purchase the Dover property, adding upwards of $200,000 more may needed from fundraising to close the sale, if the variance is granted.

“If we don’t get the variance, we’re scrapping that and we'll have to look for property elsewhere,” Boudreau said. “This meeting (Dec. 21) is a big deal for us.”

“To make this a viable, sustainable project, we need at least nine units,” she said.

Housing would give adults a place to grow into as their parents age

Laurie McIntosh, the chairperson of Our Place’s board of directors, emphasized the proposed project would not be a group home, but supportive housing for its future tenants.

Many adults with intellectual developmental disabilities still live at home with their aging parents, she said. Our Place’s plan would provide independent living with on-site supportive services and a sense of community.

“If we can make this work, we can show people that this kind of project is successful and we can house the hundreds of people with IDDs in the next 10 years,” McIntosh said.

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Details of Our Place's plan in Dover

Plans state the existing building would be reconfigured to include three two-bedroom units, two one-bedroom units and a common kitchen and dining room area with a living room. The proposed addition would span approximately 2,700 square feet with four one-bedroom units. In all, about 11 people with intellectual developmental disabilities would be accommodated throughout the proposed units.

Founded in 2019, Our Place’s mission is to create supportive housing for developmentally disabled adults in the Seacoast region. The Dover-based nonprofit’s proposal would house developmentally disabled adults 18 and older.

Each unit would also come with its own living room, kitchenette and bathroom. One or two staff members would stay overnight in the proposed staff dwelling unit.

“The Applicant’s mission to provide housing for adults with (intellectual developmental disabilities) does not stop at simply putting a roof over their heads. Our Place, Inc. is dedicated to fostering growth and independence through vocational, social and recreational opportunities,” the proposal narrative reads. “As noted above, the proximity to Dover High School and UNH provides many opportunities for the residents and students at both educational institutions. Also, in furtherance of the Applicant’s mission, residents, with the assistance of the staff, will have and maintain flower and vegetable gardens on the Property. Staff will also supervise the residents to do daily chores to keep their apartments, the building, and the surrounding yard neat, clean, and picked up at all times. Residents will be working and volunteering within the community, doing their part to support community activities and keep Dover clean.”

The property has 32 parking spaces, though none of the adults who would live on-site would drive, documents state.

“Also, activity levels at the property will be limited during the day, as the residents will be working or volunteering in the community, many accompanied by staff to serve as job coaches. In the late afternoon and evening, staffing levels will be reduced, as residents will be relaxing and having dinner,” the proposal states.

Our Place’s lease would expire in June 2024 if it doesn't get the variance and buy the property, according to Boudreau.

“This is just a need that just keeps growing. If we don’t get the variance, we have to go back to the drawing board and figure out what we’re doing,” she said. “It’s a population that we don’t normally think of. Housing is a big issue in New Hampshire and they’re right on the list of folks who have difficulty finding housing.”

The Zoning Board of Adjustment will meet at City Hall at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 21.

This article originally appeared on Fosters Daily Democrat: Our Place asks Dover to OK plan for housing for disabled adults