KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) The Keene City Council’s Planning, Licenses and Development Committee Wednesday advanced a proposal to restrict the sale of kratom products to people 21 and older, approved the Kiwanis Club of Keene’s request for its annual Tree Lighting Festival and delayed further action on proposed restrictions on dogs at downtown events.

The committee also voted unanimously to recommend that the City Council deny a proposed zoning change for approximately 0.91 acres at 0 Howard Street.

Tree Lighting Festival Approved

The committee unanimously recommended approval of the Kiwanis Club of Keene’s request to use downtown rights of way for the 2026 Tree Lighting Festival on Friday, Nov. 27.

The approval is subject to licensing, safety protocols, road closures, parking arrangements and adjustments that may be necessary because of ongoing downtown construction.

Plans call for the downtown tree and gazebo to be decorated Nov. 21, with the festival featuring colored lights. White lights could potentially be used after Epiphany and through mid-February.

The city expects three police officers and a supervisor to be assigned to the event for public safety. Staff also discussed temporary pavement protection and available electricity for the lighting.

Committee members discussed whether future plans could include year-round gazebo lighting and whether street closures could be delayed to reduce impacts on downtown businesses.

Committee Moves Forward with Kratom Age Restriction

The committee also moved forward with an ordinance restricting the sale of kratom products to people 21 and older.

The discussion focused particularly on 7-hydroxymitragynine, or 7-OH, a concentrated component of kratom that committee members and youth-services representatives said can be significantly more potent than traditional kratom products.

Local youth services representatives who spoke at the meeting described concerns about young people being able to purchase kratom and said age restrictions vary among retailers in the area.

They also raised concerns about the potency of concentrated 7-OH products, potential overdose and withdrawal risks, and marketing that can make products appear less risky than they may be.

The committee discussed whether the city should pursue a complete ban or an age restriction. Members ultimately favored taking a proactive approach by prohibiting sales to anyone under 21.

The motion to direct the city attorney to prepare an ordinance establishing the age restriction passed unanimously.

The city attorney cautioned that the legality of local regulation is not certain because of New Hampshire’s Dillon’s Rule, which limits the authority of municipalities to act in areas not specifically authorized by state law. The attorney also noted that other municipalities have pursued similar regulations and that state-level discussions remain ongoing.

The proposed ordinance is expected to return to the committee at a future meeting.

Downtown Dog Ordinance Delayed

The committee also continued its lengthy discussion of a proposed ordinance governing dogs at downtown events but voted 4–1 to put the matter on more time.

The draft ordinance is intended to allow restrictions on dogs within the footprints of certain crowded downtown events. The city attorney described a framework under which individual events would be evaluated through safety and protocol meetings, with restrictions tied to the particular event and its footprint.

Committee members questioned how such restrictions would work for different types of events, including music and food festivals, parades and events with clearly defined entrances.

Enforcement was a major concern. Members and residents discussed the number of entry points into downtown, police staffing, signage, leash-law enforcement and how officers would distinguish between prohibited dogs and dogs that are permitted.

Some residents raised concerns about a broad restriction, including its potential effect on downtown residents, responsible dog owners, event attendance and businesses. Questions also were raised about service and assistance dogs, public notice and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Committee members discussed possible exceptions for downtown residents and people simply passing through the event area, as well as warnings, citations and a potential $25 fine.

Rather than move the ordinance forward in its current form, the committee voted to seek additional input from police, event coordinators, the city attorney and the public.

The committee wants to better determine how restrictions could be applied and enforced on an event-by-event basis before the proposal returns.

Committee Recommends Denial of 0 Howard Street Zoning Change

The committee unanimously voted 5–0 to recommend that the City Council deny Ordinance O-2026-13, which would change the zoning designation of approximately 0.91 acres at 0 Howard Street, from medium density to conservation.

The Planning Board previously found that the proposed change was inconsistent with the city’s 2025 Comprehensive Master Plan.
During Wednesday’s discussion, committee members also raised concerns about the change constituting spot zoning.

The proposal has already been the subject of two public hearings. The city attorney explained the process for moving the recommendation to the full City Council and clarified that the council’s eventual action will be to adopt or reject the ordinance, rather than to approve the committee’s recommendation itself.

The committee’s recommendation for denial will be included in its report to the City Council.

The City Council is scheduled to take up the ordinance for a second reading and final vote on Oct. 15.

What’s Next

The kratom ordinance will return to the Planning, Licenses and Development Committee after the city attorney prepares a draft establishing the proposed 21-and-older sales restriction.

The downtown dog ordinance will also return after the city gathers additional input from police, event organizers, the city attorney and members of the public and addresses questions about enforcement, resident access, exceptions, warnings and penalties.

The committee’s recommendation to deny the 0 Howard Street zoning amendment will go to the full City Council for consideration Oct. 15.