The Planning Board of Keene, New Hampshire convened on September 29, 2025, to discuss several key agenda items, including the approval of a final plan and a city council referral regarding the layout of Grove Street.

The meeting commenced with the board's approval of a final plan, contingent upon specific conditions. These conditions included the owner's signature on the plan and the submission of acceptable security for landscaping. The board unanimously approved the plan after a brief discussion, allowing members to proceed to the next agenda item.

Following the approval, the board shifted its focus to a city council referral concerning the amended return of layout for a public right-of-way known as Grove Street. Public Works Director Donald Leshy provided a summary of the history leading to this referral. He explained that in 2014, the city had acquired a portion of land from a property owner to accommodate a second northbound lane at the intersection of Grove Street and Water Street, anticipating increased traffic from a proposed event venue that ultimately did not materialize.

Leshy noted that the current traffic volumes no longer warranted the extra lane, and there had been numerous public requests to simplify the intersection due to confusion over right-of-way rules. The city had recently sold the previously acquired land to Habitat for Humanity, which requested the return of a portion of the land to facilitate the development of housing units on the property.

The board discussed the proposal to release 257 square feet of land back to the adjacent parcel, which would potentially allow for the construction of a duplex instead of a single-family home without requiring a variance. The board agreed to retain certain areas of the land for public infrastructure, including a hydrant easement and the curvature of the roadway.

The meeting concluded with the board's decision to move forward with the city council referral, emphasizing the importance of addressing community needs and simplifying traffic conditions at the Grove Street intersection. The next steps will involve further discussions on the master plan, which was postponed to accommodate attendees interested in the referral.