Keene, NH

Finance, Organization and Personnel Committee

The Finance, Organization and Personnel Committee will discuss funding allocations for cemetery and bridge projects. The body is also reviewing a property revitalization application and several engineering agreements.

• Residential Property Revitalization Zone application for 128-130 School Street
• Resolution R-2026-42 regarding Monadnock View Cemetery Expansion Project funding
• Engineering services agreement with KenWave Solutions, Inc for Transmission Water Main Inspection
• Ordinance O-2026-16 regarding Wells Garage Lower Level Public Parking
• Re-allocation of funds from Sullivan Road Bridge Project to George Street Bridge Project

Planning Board

The Planning Board will hold public hearings regarding a new fast food restaurant and modifications to a Kia dealership. The board will also consider a boundary line adjustment for parcels on Silent Way.

• Proposed 4,576-sf fast food restaurant with drive-thru at 348 Winchester St
• Parking lot landscaping and lighting modifications at 440 Winchester St (Kia dealership)
• Boundary line adjustment to transfer ~0.34-ac of land at 0 Silent Way
• Gilbo Avenue Planning Charrette Letter of Support

City Council

Finance, Organization and Personnel Committee

Planning, Licenses and Development Committee

City Council

Planning Board

Municipal Services, Facilities and Infrastructure Committee

Finance, Organization and Personnel Committee

City Council

Planning, Licenses and Development Committee

Finance, Organization and Personnel Committee

City Council

Municipal Services, Facilities and Infrastructure Committee

Finance, Organization and Personnel Committee

Planning Board

Planning Board

Planning Board

Planning Board

Planning Board

Planning Board

Municipal Services, Facilities and Infrastructure Committee

The Municipal Services, Facilities and Infrastructure Committee will discuss updates to the Downtown Infrastructure Project and traffic configurations around Central Square. The body will also consider the acceptance of easements for projects on Court Street.

• Court Street Drain Replacement permanent easements
• Guitard Homes Court Street Cottage Court utility easement
• Traffic and Safety Assessment of School Street
• Planned traffic lane configuration around Central Square
• Downtown Infrastructure Project update

City Council

The Keene City Council will hold public hearings regarding short-term rental uses and a revitalization application for 128-130 School Street. The body will also consider ordinances regarding public parking and zoning map amendments.

• Public Hearing: Ordinance O-2026-09-A relating to Short-term Rental Uses
• Public Hearing: Residential Property Revitalization Zone application for 128-130 School Street
• Ordinance O-2026-16 relating to Wells Garage Lower Level Public Parking
• Ordinance O-2026-13: Zoning Map Amendment for 0 Howard Street (Medium Density to Conservation)
• Resolution R-2026-42: Funding for Monadnock View Cemetery Expansion Project

Finance, Organization and Personnel Committee

The agenda for this meeting consists of procedural boilerplate. No specific topics, proposals, or decisions are listed for discussion.

Planning, Licenses and Development Committee

The Planning, Licenses and Development Committee will discuss a zoning map amendment and ordinances regarding short-term rentals. The body will also review a request for city property use and a draft ordinance concerning dogs at downtown events.

• Zoning Map Amendment for 0 Howard Street from Medium Density to Conservation (O-2026-13)
• Draft ordinance regulating dogs at downtown events
• Request from Kiwanis Club of Keene to use city property for a tree lighting ceremony
• Discussion on restricting the sale of 7-Hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) and concentrated kratom products
• Ordinances O-2026-09 and O-2026-10 regarding short-term rental uses and definitions

City Council

The Keene City Council meets on October 1, 2026, with a public hearing on Ordinance O-2026-13, which would change the zoning map for 0 Howard Street from Medium Density to Conservation. The agenda also includes a second reading of an ordinance to install two stop signs on Roxbury Street and a resolution on the alteration of Thompson Road. Council members will receive reports and communications on topics including traffic safety, solar pavilion planning, water and sewer infrastructure, and a community power program. Several items are requests or updates rather than final decisions.

• Public hearing on Ordinance O-2026-13 to rezone 0 Howard Street from Medium Density to Conservation
• Second reading of Ordinance O-2026-15 to install two stop signs on Roxbury Street
• Resolution R-2026-37 on the alteration of Thompson Road
• Requests for traffic studies on School Street and the South Lincoln Street/Roxbury Street intersection
• Reports on the Gilbo Avenue solar pavilion, downtown infrastructure, cemetery expansion funding, and a 2027 highway safety grant

Planning Board

The Keene Planning Board will hold public hearings on two major site plans: converting 232 Winchester St into an 8-bed group home and building a ~4,576-sf fast-food restaurant with a drive-thru at 348 Winchester St. The board will also vote on a boundary line adjustment on Ash Brook Ct and consider a City Council referral for a moratorium on data centers and cryptocurrency mining.

• PB-26-26: Major Site Plan & Conditional Use Permit for 8-bed group home at 232 Winchester St (Anew Behavioral Health LLC)
• PB-26-29: Major Site Plan to demolish former Rite Aid and build ~4,576-sf fast-food restaurant with drive-thru at 348 Winchester St; waiver requested for drive-thru location
• PB-26-28: Boundary Line Adjustment transferring ~1.4-ac between parcels at 6-15 and 0 Ash Brook Ct (GM2 Associates Inc., State of NH)
• City Council referral: request for written findings to support temporary moratorium on data centers and cryptocurrency mining facilities
• Final vote on conditional approvals and minutes from August 24, 2026

Finance, Organization and Personnel Committee

The Finance, Organization and Personnel Committee will consider funding for the Monadnock View Cemetery expansion, a 2027 Highway Safety Agency grant, and proposed amendments to the Keene Community Power Program and Plan. These items are up for discussion and potential action at the meeting.

• Monadnock View Cemetery Expansion Project funding allocation
• 2027 Highway Safety Agency grant
• Resolution in support of proposed amendments to the Keene Community Power Program
• Proposed amendments to the Keene Community Power Plan

Municipal Services, Facilities and Infrastructure Committee

The Keene Municipal Services, Facilities and Infrastructure Committee will hear requests for a traffic study on School Street, petitions for city ownership of water/sewer infrastructure and a utility standards waiver for cottage courts, and a planning study for the Gilbo Avenue site. It will also discuss safety improvements at South Lincoln and Roxbury Streets, including a stop sign ordinance, and receive updates on the Roadway Safety Action Plan and Downtown Infrastructure Project.

• Traffic study and safety assessment request for School Street
• Petition for city ownership of water and sewer infrastructure at Cottage Court Community on Court Street
• Waiver request for public utilities standards for water metering at Elmside Cottage Court
• Comprehensive planning study request for Gilbo Avenue site prior to solar pavilion development
• Ordinance O-2026-15 to install two stop signs on Roxbury Street

City Council

The Keene City Council will hold public hearings on altering Thompson Road and on CDBG grants for housing and planning, and will consider several ordinances and resolutions. Notable items include a proposed temporary moratorium on data centers and cryptocurrency mining, a request to regulate dogs at downtown events, and an appropriation for the Marlboro Street & Cheshire Rail Trail improvements. The agenda also includes confirmations, grant acceptances, and various reports.

• Public hearing on Resolution R-2026-37: alteration of Thompson Road
• Public hearing on CDBG mid-grant for Keene Housing Roosevelt West and Cedarcrest Center planning grant
• Ordinance O-2026-14 second reading: amendments to Article VII Food Service Establishments
• Resolution R-2026-40: appropriation for Marlboro Street & Cheshire Rail Trail improvements
• Request for ordinance establishing temporary moratorium on data centers and cryptocurrency mining

Jt. Planning Board and PLD Committee

The Keene Planning Board and Planning, Licenses and Development Committee meet jointly to hold public workshops on two ordinances: a zone change for 0 Howard St from Medium Density to Conservation, and a proposed short-term rental use definition and standards. The board will also discuss future agenda items including neighborhood nodes, private roads, and commercial/industrial permitted uses.

• Public workshop on O-2026-13: zone change of 0 Howard St (TMP# 536-034-000, ~.91 acres) from Medium Density to Conservation
• Continued workshop on O-2026-09: establishing Short-term Rental use definition and standards in Article 8 of the Land Development Code
• Short-term rentals proposed by right with limitations in 13 zoning districts including Rural, Medium Density, Downtown Transition, and Agriculture
• Discussion items: Neighborhood/Activity Core areas, Private Roads, Permitted Uses in Commercial and Industrial Zones
• Discussion items: Land Use Definitions for Data Center/Cryptocurrency Mining and Privately-owned Prison/Detention Center

Finance, Organization and Personnel Committee

The Finance, Organization and Personnel Committee will review the FY25 audited financial statements and several grant funding opportunities. The agenda also includes discussions on infrastructure projects, equipment replacements, and municipal agreements.

• FY25 Audited Financial Statements presentation by CBIZ CPAs, P.C.
• Marlboro Street & Cheshire Rail Trail Improvements Project funding appropriation
• FY28 Ambulance Replacement discussion
• FAA/NHDOT Grant Funding for Wildlife Perimeter Fence Phase II Construction
• FY26 DOJ Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program Award

Planning, Licenses and Development Committee

The Planning, Licenses and Development Committee will consider several ordinance amendments and requests. Topics include regulating kratom products, dog restrictions at downtown events and the Pumpkin Festival, and a potential moratorium on data centers.

• Restricting the sale of 7-Hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) and concentrated kratom
• Ordinance amendment regulating dogs at downtown events
• Reconsidering dog restrictions during the Pumpkin Festival (O-2004-15-A)
• Temporary moratorium on data centers and cryptocurrency mining facilities
• Amendments to food service establishment ordinance O-2026-14

Zoning Board of Adjustment

The Zoning Board of Adjustment will hold a hearing regarding a variance request for a property in the Low-Density District. The petitioner is seeking permission to build a detached garage that encroaches into the side setback.

• Variance request for 89 Arlington Ave. (ZBA-26-9)
• Proposed 12ft x 24ft detached garage
• Request to permit garage 6.5 ft into the side setback

City Council

Finance, Organization and Personnel Committee

Municipal Services, Facilities and Infrastructure Committee

Planning Board

The Keene Planning Board is meeting to handle routine business including approving minutes, extension requests, and final votes on conditional approvals. The main public hearing is for a major site plan by Bensonwood to build a new 46-space employee parking area at 25 Production Ave. The board will also discuss an Opportunity Zone 2.0 nomination.

• Public hearing PB-26-21: Major Site Plan for 46-space employee parking lot at 25 Production Ave (TMP #110-007-000), 6.87-acre Industrial District parcel, applicant Bensonwood for owner LIDA Realty LLC
• Final vote on applications ready for conditional approval
• Discussion of Opportunity Zone 2.0 Nomination
• Boundary line adjustment item
• Approval of July 27, 2026 meeting minutes

City Council

City Council

Finance, Organization and Personnel Committee

Planning, Licenses and Development Committee

City Council

The Keene City Council will hear a presentation on the city-wide reevaluation, consider nominations to the Human Rights Committee, and discuss several public requests including a study of the Gilbo Avenue site for solar development and a temporary moratorium on data centers. Other items include roadway safety audits, a petition for safety improvements at South Lincoln and Roxbury Streets, and resolutions appropriating funds for the wastewater treatment plant HVAC replacement and the Marlboro Street & Cheshire Rail Trail improvements.

• Presentation on city-wide reevaluation by City Assessor
• Request for temporary moratorium on data centers and cryptocurrency mining facilities
• Resolution appropriating funds for Marlboro Street & Cheshire Rail Trail Improvements Project
• Resolution appropriating Wastewater Treatment Plant Capital Reserve Funds for HVAC replacement
• Petition for safety improvements at South Lincoln Street and Roxbury Street intersection

Zoning Board of Adjustment

The Zoning Board of Adjustment will hold hearings on two variance requests. One involves industrial use at 59 Optical Ave, and the other concerns a residential accessory dwelling unit at 31 Mill Rd.

• ZBA-26-5: Variance request for 59 Optical Ave for dispatch, office, bus storage, and maintenance
• ZBA-26-8: Variance request for 31 Mill Rd for a new garage with an accessory dwelling unit in the front setback

Planning Board

The Planning Board will hold public hearings on a conditional use permit to convert a two-family home into a triplex at 128-130 School St and on a temporary change of governmental land use for construction storage on Gilbo Ave and School St. The board will also take a final vote on previously conditionally approved applications and review a boundary line adjustment at 35 and 39 Kendall Rd.

• PB-26-16 – Cottage Court Conditional Use Permit to add a dwelling unit to a barn at 128-130 School St, creating a triplex
• Change of Governmental Land Use for temporary construction storage on 0 Gilbo Ave and 0 School St for Downtown Infrastructure Project
• PB-26-18 – Boundary Line Adjustment transferring ~0.09 ac between parcels at 35 and 39 Kendall Rd
• Final vote on applications ready for conditional approval (specific items not listed in agenda)
• Staff overview of administrative and minor site plan approvals from January-June 2026

Finance, Organization and Personnel Committee

The Finance, Organization and Personnel Committee will discuss waiving city claims against insurance proceeds for two properties, consider carrying forward FY2026 personnel funds for Clerk's Office renovations, and vote on resolutions related to fiscal policies and appropriating Wastewater Treatment Plant Capital Reserve Funds for an HVAC replacement project. A non-public session is also scheduled.

• Waiving city's claim against casualty and flood insurance proceeds for 112 Washington St (item 79-E)
• Waiving city's claim against casualty and flood insurance proceeds for 34 Court LLC (item 79-E)
• Request to carry forward FY2026 personnel funds for City Clerk's Office renovations (Deputy City Clerk and Assistant Clerk)
• Resolution R-2026-34: Relating to Fiscal Policies
• Resolution R-2026-36: Appropriating Wastewater Treatment Plant Capital Reserve Funds to HVAC replacement project

Municipal Services, Facilities and Infrastructure Committee

The Municipal Services, Facilities and Infrastructure Committee will receive a presentation on the Robin Hood Park Renovation Phase 1 from CHA, discuss a citizen petition for safety improvements at South Lincoln and Roxbury streets, and review Eversource's request for temporary access on Old Gilsum Road. Other items include proposed rumble strips on Routes 12 and 9, a roadway safety audit at Route 9 and Whitcomb's Mill Road, conceptual design for Gilbo Ave solar pavilion, restricting vehicle access to the wastewater treatment plant driveway, airport terminal renovations, and a downtown infrastructure project update.

• Robin Hood Park Renovation - CHA Phase 1 Presentation
• Erik Murphy petition for safety improvements at South Lincoln Street and Roxbury Street intersection
• Eversource Energy request for temporary access and use of Old Gilsum Road for transmission structure replacement
• Proposed rumble strips on Route 12 and Route 9
• Airport Terminal Renovations update

City Council

The City Council will vote on a wage schedule revision ordinance and multiple property tax exemption resolutions. Members will also discuss infrastructure change orders and requests regarding city property use and public health regulations.

• Ordinance O-2026-12 relating to Wage Schedule Revision
• Resolutions R-2026-25 through R-2026-33 regarding Property Tax Exemptions and Credits
• Resolution R-2026-36 to appropriate Wastewater Treatment Plant Capital Reserve Funds for HVAC replacement
• Change orders for Lakes Region Fuel Systems (Martell Court Fuel Tank) and McFarland Johnson (Lower Winchester Street 40666 Reconstruction)
• RPRZ application for 429 Elm Street

Jt. Planning Board and PLD Committee

The Joint Planning Board and PLD Committee will conduct a public workshop on a proposed ordinance for short-term rental use definitions and standards. The Community Development Department will also present housing strategies from the 2025 Master Plan.

• Ordinance O-2026-09 regarding short-term rental use definitions and standards
• Review of 2025 Master Plan housing strategy implementation
• Referral from Mayor Kahn regarding permitted uses in Commerce, Industrial, and Industrial Park Zones
• Referral from Councilors Williams, Ruttle-Miller, and Tobin regarding 2025 Master Plan housing initiatives
• Referral from Councilor Jones regarding additional land use definitions in the Land Development Code

Finance, Organization and Personnel Committee

The Finance, Organization and Personnel Committee will discuss a wage schedule revision and several property tax exemptions. The body is also reviewing construction and engineering change orders for city projects. Other items include a historical marker request and a revitalization zone application.

• Ordinance O-2026-12 regarding Wage Schedule Revision
• Residential Property Revitalization Zone application for 429 Elm Street
• Change order for Lakes Region Fuel Systems for Martell Court Fuel Tank Replacement
• Change order for McFarland Johnson for Lower Winchester Street 40666 Reconstruction
• Property Tax Exemptions and Credits (Resolutions R-2026-25 through R-2026-33)

Planning, Licenses and Development Committee

The Planning, Licenses and Development Committee will discuss several councilor requests and consider two ordinances related to short-term rentals (O-2026-09 and O-2026-10). Other items include a request to use city property for the Keene Pumpkin Festival, reinstating the College City Commission, restricting sale of 7-OH and concentrated kratom products, and regulating dogs at downtown events. The committee may also discuss expanding permitted uses in commerce, industrial, and industrial park zones.

• Request for use of city property for Keene Pumpkin Festival on October 17, 2026
• Councilor request to reinstate the College City Commission
• Councilor request to consider restricting sale of 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) and concentrated kratom products
• Request for ordinance amendment regulating dogs at downtown events
• Two ordinances relating to short-term rental uses (O-2026-09 and O-2026-10)