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Barnstable Village Association - Meeting Packet Barnstable Village Association Meeting Local Comprehensive Plan Comments October 11, 2022 STRENGTHS Group Response Keeping Barnstable Village historical. This can be achieved through funding opportunities like CPC. Walkability of Barnstable Village  Barnstable Harbor is a gem for the Village and for the Town and should remain protected. The harbor provides both business and recreation opportunities including shellfishing and charter boats. Aquaculture is a sustainable economic driver. Barnstable trails Barnstable libraries Barnstable Village has been delayed with regard to development which is beneficial as residents can see what is happening in the other villages and better plan for what the future could be. Success in maintaining and fostering marsh growth which can continue to be achieved with collaboration among Town groups. Restaurants Our historic Committees/Commissions. We need to continue to be careful about blending and balancing historic preservation with growth/development. Barnstable Market Our parades and holiday stroll Nirvana is a central point Concerts A lot of the Village is sewered Our people. Always running into friendly residents. Small town feel; it is special here. Connections are formed through our school networks and youth athletics. Fire Department Clean water Beaches, sand bars and safe places to swim Safe place for kids to walk around Individual Comment Box Responses   OPPORTUNITIES Group Response  Extend sidewalks to West Barnstable and improve accommodations for bicycles. Balance pedestrian circulation and scenic roads. Guidance can be taken from the Cape Cod Commission’s Scenic Byways report. Safe routes to school A playground; BWB had a playground.  Need more businesses in our Village. Businesses are leaving because they are getting pushed out due to factors like high rent. Too many real estate law offices. Residents would like an ice cream shop and desire first floor retail. Consider opportunity to coordinate additional parking spaces with the County. Local employment for small businesses Second floor of historic buildings become rental for lower income residents Existing houses could be repurposed for group housing Bike trail is coming and we should tie the Village into it. Could take pressure off 6A. Consider incentive for property owners with flexibility in zoning for more than one use.  Improve the natural environment. Would like to see everywhere on Cape Cod but specifically here in Village first remove invasive species including phragmites. Only native plants should be planted in public spaces. We need to get aggressive to ensure that we will have natives. Re-direct stormwater from running into Barnstable Harbor. Water quality is degrading.  Residents need to have a better understanding with regard to drainage and stormwater systems specific to their property and their collective neighborhood to ensure that future development, such as an ADU, will maintain and not disrupt existing systems. Noise pollution  There is potential to improve Town roads that are under our jurisdiction such as portions of 6A. We can save up and budget improvements to tackle existing conditions noted to cause noise and vibration. Desire for consistent policy on Town sidewalk as far as snow clearing. There is desire to walk to work instead of driving but not all residents maintain their property. Same for tree trimming. Long term goal of installing utilities underground. This would really help especially as a coastal area, from a visual standpoint and it would improve our sidewalks. Tree branches and roots that are embedded in the sidewalk create a dangerous walkway. Balancing historic preservation and development growth. Wider sidewalks for enhanced security and safety and connectivity among our sidewalks. Our churches, post offices, and grocery stores should be accessible locally as opposed to having to travel across Town. Consider redeveloping historic structures to provide public facilities. Individual Comment Box Responses   WEAKNESSES Group Response Lack of smart growth strategy across Town like the development at Mashpee Commons with residents above stores and offices and Post Office nearby. This is sprawlsville. Need to establish an identity for each of our Village centers which should be coordinated with the sewer plan. Need to keep historical and looking the way it always have looked. That keeps people coming back.  The 35 Wilkens development. We need housing and having that density is fine but there is nothing to do with energy issues and open space. The Cape Cod Commission undermines what we want. We need to ensure that our community goals are achieved. The Cape Cod Commission We need a vision for what we want. We need development that is human scaled. The Cape Cod Commission should improve aesthetics and energy review. Barnstable isn’t a Green Community and we are missing out on grants. We need more access to the water and beaches accessible for all residents as opposed to private property. For instance, residents used to have more access at Scudder’s Lane Landing. Individual Comment Box Responses   CHALLENGES Group Response Understanding that people want more housing but the cost for housing has increased tremendously. It is difficult to achieve normal housing let alone dense housing. Providence preservation society in the past would put together renovation funds with subsidies to restore and rebuild neighborhoods. The concept of having a revolving fund could help us. Desire to see the Town meet national standards for tree replacement. Too much pavement. Need for stricter tree removal regulations at the State level. Here in Hyannis trees were removed in order to upgrade sidewalks. Less trees equates to lower property value. Need to establish a maintenance agreement to ensure that trees are replaced. We have the pressure of being a “resort” for tourism and a rich/wealth destination. How do we avoid massive/vacant houses? Water restrictions need enhanced communication to better inform residents. Need to provide further information to residents with regard to restrictions and the restrictions need to be enforced. Solid waste pickup in the Town with 7-8 companies. This should be coordinated by Precinct. Desire to get our school districts more concerned about the waste that they produce such as solid food waste and cardboard. Students should be more aware of this. Schools should be composting. The State has Climate Action Plan with goals and it needs to translate into actions that must be achieved by the Town. The State can’t complete the goals of the Climate Action Plan alone. Individual Comment Box Responses   If you had one day, where would you bring a visitor? Comment Wall #1 Responses  Barnstable Harbor at low tide  Cape Cod Airfield  Hyannisport What is your favorite road to travel down? Comment Wall #2 Responses  Bone Hill Road  Bone Hill Road  Wianno Avenue If you could add one thing to Barnstable, what would it be? Comment Wall #3 Responses      General Comments Individual Comment Box Responses  Accident waiting to happen at the intersection of Phinneys Lane and 6A     What is one word to describe your ideal community? Individual Comment Box Responses      Share your ideas & stories Individual Comment Box Responses     