DOVER — A rezoning amendment may be moving through the legislative process, but concerned residents are not allowing it to progress quietly.
The City Council met Wednesday to discuss a controversial measure that would change a large amount of land between Tolend and Littleworth roads from residential to industrial. The development of the plot, proposed by USA Training Centers, would bring the Seacoast Mavericks collegiate baseball team, a member of the Futures Collegiate Baseball League, to Dover.
About 25 residents attended the meeting, and 16 spoke on the matter — two for and 14 against. The main concerns of abutters were negative impacts of rezoning on property value and way of life.
“This project doesn’t fit into the area,” said Ted Anglace, a resident of abutting Wallace Drive for 18 years. “There’s a whole slew of things I could point out. … If you were going to buy a property in this area and you saw four baseball fields with lights from your swimming pool, you’d probably look elsewhere.”
Residents also expressed concern about what may happen if the USA Training Centers proposal falls through, since approval would only rezone the land, not approve development. Several speakers said the amendment is shortsighted, and may prove to backfire if development does not go as planned, or if the proposed facility is not successful.
“Please reject this proposal to rezone,” said Erin MacIntire. “Please think about a more strategic approach.”
Supporters, meanwhile, said the complex would generate taxes to help diversify the city’s tax base, and would provide a state-of-the-art facility for baseball and softball training.
“While I understand the sincere sentiment of no rezoning in my backyard, I must tell you that you represent over 30,000 people in the city of Dover,” said City Economic Development Director Dan Barufaldi. “… If we don’t stabilize our tax base of some residential properties to industrial, we will have a huge increase in tax rate.”
As part of the development, USA Training Centers would build a new 2,000-seat stadium, which the Mavericks would use as their home field. Other features include five full-size baseball fields, a three-floor observation building, a 90,000 square-foot training field with a seasonal dome, a 15,000 square-foot indoor baseball training facility and walking paths and park features. Additionally, the site could accommodate restaurants, hotels, convenience stores and additional parking. In total, the development would comprise 106.45 acres of land.
Wednesday marked the second municipal meeting on the matter that drew hundreds to City Hall. Before the Planning Board passed the measure on Jan. 24, more than 60 residents spoke to the rezoning. The meeting did not end until after 1:30 a.m.
A public hearing on the rezoning measure is expected for March 8. The City Council may choose to vote on the matter then, or to wait for a future meeting.
