Rochester gets ready to make a play for charitable gaming facility

ROCHESTER - With charitable gaming facilities booming in Keene, Manchester and nearby Dover, it looks like Rochester is ready to get into the game.
The planning board recently finalized its proposed ordinance for approval down the line by the Rochester City Council.
A public hearing on the ordinance was held Tuesday night prior to the City Council workshop with planning director Shauna Saunders explaining that the proposed ordinance would mandate that the charitable gaming be combined with sports betting as it is at other such facilities around the state.
Saunders noted that they could be located along Rochester's two main highway corridors to include Routes 11 and 125 and also by conditional use approval at The Ridge.
She mentioned the potential of another one not far from Spaulding High, but she did not identify the exact location, which could well likely be the Lilac Mall.
Several of the proposed ordinance's requirements include a gaming space of 20,000 square feet, and four EV charging stations per 100 parking spaces, something State Rep and Rochester resident Tom Kaczynski took exception to when he testified during the public hearing.
"Are there going to be gasoline pumps mandated, diesel," Kaczynski quipped. "Why are we making EV charging stations mandatory? People can't afford EVs. or the interest rates. It's not even proven technology."
He also objected to Saunders' condition that they should encourage developers to erect massive public art displays that the owners would maintain, but be able to apply to City Council to take over maintenance after five years.
"So the owners take care of it for five years, than city can take it over and put the burden on the taxpayers," he added.