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Downtown project questions raised again
Parking issues surround hotel, mixed-use development
PETER J. CLEARY
Sentinel Staff
As Keene's skyline gets ready to rise, one city property owner has concerns there may not be enough space on the ground to accommodate the new development.
Kristin R. McKeon, president of Ellis Robertson Corp., has requested a rehearing of a recent zoning board decision allowing the Monadnock Economic Development Corp. to build two five-story buildings on the city's former railroad property.
Building more than four stories downtown requires a special exception from the zoning board, which it granted last month. But McKeon said the board didn't follow proper procedure when deciding to allow the five-story buildings.
The developer has plans to put a hotel and a mixed-use building with offices, retail stores and condominiums on the downtown land. It's also working with Southwestern Community Services to put senior-citizen housing and offices for the social-services agency on the land. And MoCo Arts, formerly The Moving Company Dance Center, is looking to build new classrooms and performance space there.
The hotel and mixed-use buildings - both at five stories tall - are the only ones that have planning board approval.
McKeon said she's not opposed to the development or five-story buildings downtown, but she is concerned whether the city has parking to handle the extra stories. She's also concerned about how the fifth stories will affect city infrastructure and views.
The fifth stories will house additional hotel rooms and condominiums.
While planning board standards require new developments to have adequate parking to accommodate their needs, that standard doesn't apply to the city's downtown area.
But if the zoning board allows more than four stories downtown, the developer must ensure there is adequate parking along with or nearby the development.
McKeon said the development group hasn't done that, and she called the zoning board's decision shortsighted and negligent.
"They are doing a disservice for the people who work, shop and live in downtown Keene," she said.
Ellis Robertson Corp. owns property adjacent to the development, and its tenants park in a lot on Eagle Court. About 70 spaces are available to tenants, McKeon said, and she has had problems with non-tenants parking in the lot.
She's concerned the new development will put extra stress on her lot.
Zoning board Chairman John C. Norton referred questions about the decision to the minutes of the meeting where the special exceptions were granted.
Parking is mentioned a few times in the minutes, with comments from McKeon and John G. Dugan, president of the development group. Dugan said in the meeting that parking isn't required in the city's central business district, and noted the 170 spaces he plans to build on the land. The development is displacing about the same number of spots in a free lot.
Rashed Kanaan of the Carriage House Condominium Association Board of Directors said he agreed with McKeon that the board should consider the parking issue. The Carriage House Condominiums are on Railroad Street adjacent to the planned development.
Norton also mentioned the parking requirement but there was no discussion by board members.
The board had a specific vote on the parking issue, though, and it unanimously voted that all requirements could be satisfied on the property.
Dugan said that he thinks the board made a responsible decision regarding the fifth stories. And, he said, additional parking isn't an option for him as there's no extra space on the land.
Downtown parking has long been a concern of McKeon's, and she said she hopes the city finds a way to address the subject in the development.
"There hasn't been enough parking since before the project started," she said this morning.
Mayor Michael E.J. Blastos recently suggested the city could work with the development group to build a parking lot. Dugan has said he'd be open to that opportunity.
The zoning board will consider whether to rehear the matter at its meeting on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. in city hall.
Parking issues surround hotel, mixed-use development
PETER J. CLEARY
Sentinel Staff
As Keene's skyline gets ready to rise, one city property owner has concerns there may not be enough space on the ground to accommodate the new development.
Kristin R. McKeon, president of Ellis Robertson Corp., has requested a rehearing of a recent zoning board decision allowing the Monadnock Economic Development Corp. to build two five-story buildings on the city's former railroad property.
Building more than four stories downtown requires a special exception from the zoning board, which it granted last month. But McKeon said the board didn't follow proper procedure when deciding to allow the five-story buildings.
The developer has plans to put a hotel and a mixed-use building with offices, retail stores and condominiums on the downtown land. It's also working with Southwestern Community Services to put senior-citizen housing and offices for the social-services agency on the land. And MoCo Arts, formerly The Moving Company Dance Center, is looking to build new classrooms and performance space there.
The hotel and mixed-use buildings - both at five stories tall - are the only ones that have planning board approval.
McKeon said she's not opposed to the development or five-story buildings downtown, but she is concerned whether the city has parking to handle the extra stories. She's also concerned about how the fifth stories will affect city infrastructure and views.
The fifth stories will house additional hotel rooms and condominiums.
While planning board standards require new developments to have adequate parking to accommodate their needs, that standard doesn't apply to the city's downtown area.
But if the zoning board allows more than four stories downtown, the developer must ensure there is adequate parking along with or nearby the development.
McKeon said the development group hasn't done that, and she called the zoning board's decision shortsighted and negligent.
"They are doing a disservice for the people who work, shop and live in downtown Keene," she said.
Ellis Robertson Corp. owns property adjacent to the development, and its tenants park in a lot on Eagle Court. About 70 spaces are available to tenants, McKeon said, and she has had problems with non-tenants parking in the lot.
She's concerned the new development will put extra stress on her lot.
Zoning board Chairman John C. Norton referred questions about the decision to the minutes of the meeting where the special exceptions were granted.
Parking is mentioned a few times in the minutes, with comments from McKeon and John G. Dugan, president of the development group. Dugan said in the meeting that parking isn't required in the city's central business district, and noted the 170 spaces he plans to build on the land. The development is displacing about the same number of spots in a free lot.
Rashed Kanaan of the Carriage House Condominium Association Board of Directors said he agreed with McKeon that the board should consider the parking issue. The Carriage House Condominiums are on Railroad Street adjacent to the planned development.
Norton also mentioned the parking requirement but there was no discussion by board members.
The board had a specific vote on the parking issue, though, and it unanimously voted that all requirements could be satisfied on the property.
Dugan said that he thinks the board made a responsible decision regarding the fifth stories. And, he said, additional parking isn't an option for him as there's no extra space on the land.
Downtown parking has long been a concern of McKeon's, and she said she hopes the city finds a way to address the subject in the development.
"There hasn't been enough parking since before the project started," she said this morning.
Mayor Michael E.J. Blastos recently suggested the city could work with the development group to build a parking lot. Dugan has said he'd be open to that opportunity.
The zoning board will consider whether to rehear the matter at its meeting on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. in city hall.