Keene tabled a land-development code change after split committee vote and tie at council

City Manager Elizabeth Ferland summarized community concern and council action on ordinance 02025-15A, a package of land-development code changes that drew debate about allowed unit counts in the medium-density zoning district. Ferland said committee discussion focused on whether the change would allow up to six units "by right" and what that would mean for parking and neighborhood character.

At the Planning Committee level, members voted 3–2 to put the item on more time; when it reached full council the item faced close votes and was tabled for two meetings, with staff and council planning to revisit the matter when all council members are present. Ferland said confusion at the committee and council levels included misunderstandings about the geographic scope (it applies to the entire medium-density district) and whether every property would be changed to the maximum unit count.

Ferland described the council's immediate options: either leave the adopted ordinance in place or reopen and redraft limited elements (for example setbacks or permitted unit counts). The council chose to table the item to a later meeting (the staff estimate in the episode named May 21) so that a full complement of 15 council members could participate and provide direction before staff proceeds.

Officials said the issue narrowed in practice to two key technical questions—setbacks and unit counts—and indicated that staff will await clearer direction from the council before redrafting or returning the item to committee.