Recent changes in zoning regulations might significantly alter the casino gambling landscape in Keene, the charming, rolling-hilled jewel of Cheshire County, New Hampshire. The local City Council is mulling over restrictions that would essentially redraw the zoning lines for upcoming casino ventures.
Stakeholders Gather at the Table
Earlier this summer, fruitful dialogues took place between the council’s planning, licenses, and development committee and the city planning board. These discussions are finally set to come to a head in the highly anticipated City Council meetings slated for September 11 and September 19.
Downsizing the Big Gamble
The initial proposal aimed to cap casino sizes at 20,000 square feet. Following a series of intense negotiations and strategic card plays, the latest draft now calls for a maximum of merely 10,000 square feet per gambling den, a reduction that surely tightens the belt for future casino developers, as noted by the local news outlet, the Keene Sentinel.
Finding the Right Spot
The Council wisely concluded that Keene’s commercial district is a far better fit for casinos than its growth district. According to the new regulations, each gaming house must be sited at least 500 feet from another casino. Think of it as establishing a safety buffer—no one likes cramped quarters, not even blackjack dealers!
Keeping a Respectable Distance
Moreover, casinos must maintain a minimum distance of 250 feet from residential buildings and family homes, and a minimum of 200 feet away from schools, daycare centers, temples, or churches. Mari Brunner, Keene’s articulate senior planner and zoning maestro, eloquently explained these provisions.
Plotting the New Map
If the new proposal gets the coveted green light, bookmakers and high rollers alike can look forward to staking their claim on lots along West Street from Island Street, and on Main Street south of Route 101. Other viable zones include Key Road, Kit Street, and Ash Brook within the city’s vibrant commercial district—a gambler’s paradise hidden in plain sight.
Prime Real Estate with Major Perks
These prime locations aren’t just a roll of the dice; they have direct access to major roads, a strategic ace-in-the-hole. Brunner emphasized another core factor: the commercial district’s “automobile-oriented” nature indeed makes parking a breeze compared to Keene’s growth district, where spaces are as rare as royal flushes!
An Expert Opinion
Jesse Rounds, Keene’s community development director, threw his lot in with the sentiment that casinos would serve the city better in the commercial areas due to stringent parking requirements. Brunner chimed in, adding, “the downtown growth (area) is intended for a more walkable, pedestrian-oriented environment and it’s meant to be an extension.” In other words, let’s keep the chips where the cars are.
Wonder Casino: The Lonestar Continues
Currently, Keene’s sole casino star is the Wonder Casino at 172 Emerald St., offering a cavalcade of gambling activities including roulette and blackjack. Although the new zoning rules could shuffle the deck for future casinos, Wonder Casino remains blissfully unaffected, standing tall and proud as the lone beacon of gambling in Keene—for now.
