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Local Comprehensive Plan_Phase 1 Public Comment Town of Barnstable Local Comprehensive Plan Phase 1: Public Comment Submitted through January, 19, 2023 Table of Contents Local Comprehensive Plan Phase 1 Public Comments Village Comments Pages Barnstable Barnstable Village Association Meeting 2-8 Centerville Centerville LCP Workshop 9-15 Cotuit Cotuit Civic Association Meeting 16-24 Hyannis Greater Hyannis Civic Association 25-30 Hyannis Port Hyannis Port Cotuit Civic Association Meeting 31-32 Marstons Mills Marstons Mills Civic Association Meeting 33-36 Osterville Osterville Civic Association Meeting & Osterville LCP Workshop 37-44 West Barnstable West Barnstable Civic Association 45-50 Town-wide General Public Comment 51-65 Comment Wall Responses 66-69 Barnstable 55+ Community Safety Day 70 Hyannis Open Streets 71-85 Youth Soccer Questionnaire 86-87 Barnstable High School Vision Statements 88 Winter Open House 89-93 1 Barnstable 2 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 3 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. 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. 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. 4 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. 5 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. 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. 6 If you had one day, where would you bring a visitor? Comment Wall #1 Responses  Barnstable Harbor at low tide  Cape Cod Airfield  Hyannis Port What is your favorite road to travel down? Comment Wall #2 Responses  Bone Hill Road  Bone Hill Road  Wianno Avenue General Comments Individual Comment Box Responses  Accident waiting to happen at the intersection of Phinneys Lane and 6A The comment at the meeting regarding the Town of Barnstable planting public spaces with native species was important. There are two projects in Barnstable Village where I feel that the town made poor decisions. The first (mentioned at the meeting) was the re-do of The Hollow. It can be argued that The Hollow needed a facelift, but aside from planting non-native water guzzling decorative plant species, why does a recreational area that has been in the town for at least the past 65 years suddenly need an automated irrigation system for its grass? It would be more cost effective for the town to plant greens with resilient fescue grasses (i.e. the Cape Cod lawn), these grasses can survive a drought and don’t require irrigation after they have become established. Yes, they do sometimes go brown amidst a hot summer, but they come back with the fall rains. The other project was the relocation of the sewer pump on Rendezvous Lane. The relocation plan was important in the face of rising sea levels. Communication with the neighbors by the town was excellent. However, a tremendous amount of money was wasted on landscaping. Not only did it employ another automated irrigation system (that ran full tilt throughout this summer’s drought), the green was planted with water hungry “sod” that has been trained to want a lot of water. On top of that are a bunch of decorative pilings wrapped in rope that are supposed to look nautical or something. I guess they are meant to keep cars and trucks from driving on the grass over the sewer pump, but they do look silly and simply dropping some larger rocks/boulders there would have been a lot less expensive and equally effective. Further, the fancy irrigation system is exposed to car tires I have no doubt that several of the sprinkler heads will need to be replace annually. 7  There was a lot of talk about how important the harbor, and the marina, are to the community. Mark Ells has heard me talk about this before, nevertheless in an effort to preserve “blue economy jobs”, I believe that consideration should be given to the traditional charter boat businesses that run out of the marina. There only five boats left from the “old school” 6-pack charter boat business. These boats have been around for close to 70 years. These 40' boats rely on having one of only several larger slips in the marina. These slips are part of the harbormaster’s lottery system. I would love to see these slips held “in perpetuity” for use by the charter boat fleet. Doing so would allow some of the current captains (who are aging out) to sell or pass down their businesses to the next generation with the assurance that there will be dock space for their boats. Without the ability to retain the slips, these businesses will not be able to continue. I believe that this charter boat fleet not only provides an opportunity for maritime commerce, but that they are a historic aspect of the harbor and our village. Allowing the slips to be passed down to the new owners of the charter boats will help to preserve that tradition. 8 Centerville 9 Centerville LCP Workshop at Recreation Building Local Comprehensive Plan Comments January 18, 2023 If together we could take action on one thing to strengthen our community, what would be important to you?  Listen to our residents; give them a voice  15 MPH – slow down traffic to preserve character  Pine Street needs speed limit repair and we need more signage “Preserve” quality of life here, our natural resources and community feel Telephone pole removal Reroute Avangrid wind off Main Street to preserve trees Speed cameras and speed tables at crosswalks Community engagement and involvement Establish center/hub of Centerville here at and around the recreation building – add street lights, etc. Better communication between Boards/Committees/Commissions and understanding and involvement in LCP Caring and looking out for each other – we are not an island to ourselves. Have a better voice in the community. Coordinate for telephone poles to be underground 10 What concerns you most about maintaining the quality of life in Barnstable?  Traffic  Pedestrian safety  Accidents/safety Speeds – huge trucks cut through – redirect trucks off of Main Street  (4) crosswalks are not raised/protected, pylons – slow down traffic Need speed tables No one stops at crosswalks Speed of drivers going to elementary school drop-off Regional traffic solutions Limited careful development Need affordable year-round and seasonal housing Garbage – roadside (nips) and at our beaches Free stuff on sidewalk (looks bad) Noise pollution (leaf, etc.) Changes that will increase density in village and that will increase traffic Speeding and noise pollutions (motorcycling) – Centerville Beach. Consider installing speed cameras on our roadways and within our parking lots Cut thru traffic @ Lake Elizabeth including 8-wheelers and impact on private roads Current construction – impacts and rerouting – stress of being displaced Prefer to travel to Falmouth, not Hyannis, for shopping due to construction and traffic here which also impacts access to schools and local businesses. Need to coordinate enhanced communication for during and post construction notices. Better communication and transparency from town Phinneys – trees taken down, impacts on lawn, towers in water, construction impacts to homeowners Noise pollution worse – early in AM, trucks, landscaping, leaf blowers, drag racing Work from home – noise, 2-cycle leaf blowers. We need regulations. Priority to limit noise on Sundays. Enhanced transparency – earlier notice, citizen recourse, enhanced notification of major projects in neighborhoods Install speed limit signs on side roads and cul-de-sacs Private roads and obligation to homeowners Setting priorities, interagency communication, continual metrics, the right people need to be present Jobs and attitudes, must unite more in some wholesome interest. Housing why so many empty buildings could be used for something and get the homeless off the streets. Covell and Craigville Beach what are they doing digging etc. Traffic – speed of traffic, trucks and speed and volume of delivery trucks 30 trees, 100’ tall – concern about loss of trees 11 What makes Barnstable a great place to live?  Past beauty of our community  Beaches  Location, center of everything Natural resources and open spaces – trails, beaches, fields, recreation Concerns about congestion Lakes and ponds Local business and business mix Historic resources Library systems (CLAMS) – all with different personality  Many events (July 4th, Memorial Day, Christmas, old home week)  4th July parade – kids event  Historic look – innocent time, Rockwell, but some of those places are going away Large percent of family and year-round neighborhoods Historic character Playground in middle of Main – is a huge benefit that we should take advantage of it and celebrate more as an anchor for our community Open space for children Neighbors/community but fewer young families because they can’t afford to live here Centerville Elementary School in walking distance Great schools and proximity from village to schools  Strong sense of community and our Civic Association  Centerville Museum and South Congregational Church  Mature trees Craigville – drive, beauty, character White holiday lights – and sense of community  Many beautiful public beaches  4 Seas Ice Cream COMM is an asset  Playground  Locations to do things. Beaches, quaint but see some neighbors etc. who are loud and don’t respect each other 12 If you had one day, where would you bring a visitor? Comment Wall #1 Responses  Sandy Neck  Route 6A  Craigville Beach Hyannis Port What is your favorite road to travel down? Comment Wall #2 Responses  Craigville Beach Road to Ocean Street along the beach  Craigville Beach Road to Ocean Street along the beach  6A If you could add one thing to Barnstable, what would it be? Comment Wall #3 Responses  More bike trails and improve existing bike trail on 6A  Housing available for young working families  Paved bike trails Twin Brooks Listen to the needs of the residents of Barnstable 13 General Comments Individual Comment Box Responses  The working on roads has been very trying especially near Phinneys Lane people are having hard times to get to work. The men will say you can go thru an area then you get up the road some and you can’t get thru. Surprised nothing on cape for Martin Luther King Day there was a breakfast somewhere but that was it. Ways to keep the community together some of my neighbors hardly speak. And the culture needs to unite better. Youth needs more wholesome things to do. The senior center needs community more events for all ages of a community. This cape needs to change its theme of a retirement place.  I felt half the suggestions from residents presented at the meeting should have been heard by our council and town manager. I'm not sure what crosses the line of what's under your division's umbrella. For instance, I just learned this week the council voted unanimously in favor of changing the zoning for Simon properties. A full month after the vote was taken? Their answer of course is "everything's online", the agenda etc. but good luck finding that buried stuff! Town wide speeding, pedestrian, bicyclist safety is paramount and a genuine bonafide dilemma and crises! There needs to be a meeting with the police, council and all stakeholders. I've emailed the Barnstable sergeant in charge of traffic but he is overwhelmed!! This along with the housing shortage is a statewide perpetual issue. I know for a fact the police feel overwhelmed with other more serious issues, understaffed and consider traffic enforcement a nuisance. Try driving the speed limit on old stage road and you get tailgated. We the people [including all of you] who try to be interested, caring, concerned residents are currently spread thin in Barnstable. Wind power, development of Twin Brooks, Jenkins cranberry bog, THE AIRPORT are all taxing us as a community! I attended an airport meeting and we only had 10 residents. Those airport folks are steamrolling along with Mr. Ells blessing? VERY CONCERNING. The airport director speaks out both sides of her mouth stating "we're not Logan" yet the expansion is ridiculous. THE AIRPORT IS EMPTY EVERY DAY I DRIVE THROUGH IT? One resident was right on when he stated the airport was "catering to the Oliguards"! The airport seems to become an airplane gas station. Don't laugh but I think we should close the "gateway airport" and use the 700 acres for housing, which is in dire need and paramount to someone taking a vacation from NY to fly over to the islands. I'm so glad you folks are working with Hyannis Main st businesses who are our town's backbone! 14 What is one word to describe your ideal community? Individual Comment Box Responses  Preservation  Historic  Attentive to natural resources 15 Cotuit 16 Cotuit Civic Association Meeting Local Comprehensive Plan Comments September 20, 2022 STRENGTHS Group Response Finally started sewer program Friendly staff State Representatives and Town Councilors Parks and recreation Fire Department staff Library Waterways Individual Comment Box Responses Good financial position Wonderful village Variety of beaches 17 OPPORTUNITIES Group Response Enhance parks and recreation specifically here in Cotuit Traffic Desire for a new Fire Department building and an emergency shelter Alternative septic systems can be coordinated, for the time being, in advance of sewer Collaborate with adjacent towns, like Mashpee, for best practices related to sewer The elementary school could be converted to a community center Streets can be improved to be more bike friendly and improved for enhanced pedestrian safety Residential trash pickup Review and consider updating current zoning to provide more opportunities for businesses Individual Comment Box Responses Start planning for preventing water pollution from happening…rather than trying to remediate pollution once it's affecting our water resources To protect water now we need sewers! Ability to address weaknesses and threats Develop more senior housing Draw and keep medical professionals 18 WEAKNESSES Group Response Traffic control and speed enforcement  Absence of open space and recreational areas in Cotuit. Particular concern for lack of play areas for younger children was noted. And the fields at the school property are in very rough shape - especially given that they are the only readily available recreation area. Current condition of Pomponesset Bay and Cotuit Harbor. Efforts should be coordinate to restore and "bring back to life" Poor planning in the 1970s. During the 1970's neighborhoods were developed and coordinated with Town staff without infrastructure, drainage, or sidewalks and now we are paying for it. Individual Comment Box Responses Inadequate beach parking/poor enforcement of non-stickered cars Lack of traffic patrol and speed enforcement Beach cleanliness Overdevelopment in sensitive natural areas Diminution in health of habitat, ecosystems, waterbodies, and watersheds Popponessett and Shoe String Bay DEAD and Cotuit Harbor dead, dead, dying Septic systems Housing for low/middle income Building Department Lack of affordable housing and professional blue and white collar employment 19 CHALLENGES Group Response Coordinating common values that balance the Towns varied geography and economic development Capturing the voice of summer residents Communication. It can be challenging to ensure that all residents are informed and it is important to consider all opportunities to spread the word about current and future efforts.  Water quality. Extremely poor and degrading condition of area waterways. This includes our fresh water aquifer and the sludge in Cotuit Harbor as well as the Marstons Mills River, Santuit River and Little River. Sewer is not expected for 20+ years. A west bound sewer plan should be developed immediately. We cannot wait 20 or so years for sewer. We need to act now. Innovative systems need to be considered; we have failed our septic systems. Additionally, connecting to sewer is expensive and funding opportunities for residents should be coordinated. The waters are a great asset and a major weakness is the absence of steps to take care of that great asset. Continued growth of AirBnB rentals and desire for regulations Inadequate beach parking/poor enforcement of non-stickered cars Desire for more funding and Town resources to be allocated to Cotuit. Cotuit does not seem to rank evenly with other villages. The Cotuit Elementary School should be protected in perpetuity and we should consider adding a playground We have an aging population and we need to plan ahead for residents to be able to age in place Seasonal fluctuation which impacts population, traffic and economic development Maintaining our character. Cotuit needs a village design criteria to ensure that our character is preserved. There has been an invasion of traffic signs.  Traffic and speed of vehicles is a major concern, especially for families. Speed enforcement. Subsequently, if speeding is addressed we could limit the amount of traffic signs. Speed needs to be addressed both on land and on water. Lack of existing healthcare facilities and need to retain existing healthcare facilities. Pressure to expand mooring field. Desire to review how moorings are passed down and consider establishing a limit on the number of moorings. Need for mental health facilities that are accessible for all residents Need to develop strategies for recruiting and retaining public services especially entry level positions Maintenance of our private and public roads and coordination with future sewer development including the need to coordinate easements 20 Our waterways are both a strength and a weakness; they need to be protected  When goals are established, we need to promptly prioritize actions that are defined for immediate action. We need to ensure that performance measures are developed to keep track of progress in achieving goals. Individual Comment Box Responses Environment Water quality Continued growth of AirBnB rentals with no parameters on minimum length of stay and no enforcement of noise/nuisance ordinance Lack of availability of healthcare providers Water pollution is increasing: nitrogen -phosphorus; contaminants of emerging concern; virus- pharmaceuticals; PFA’s 21 What is your favorite place in Barnstable? Comment Wall #1 Responses  Sandy Neck Beach  Kalmus Beach  Craigville Beach Prince's Cove Shoestring Bay Crocker's Neck Dead Neck Meadow Point Loop Beach Dead Neck Cotuit Harbor What is your favorite road to travel down? Comment Wall #2 Responses  6A  149 22 General Comments Individual Comment Box Responses  The sewering infrastructure project started 10 years too late. Now the bays and their estuaries are under pressure from accelerated eutrophication. Some bays like Shoestring Bay/Popponesset may not be able to sustain the estuaries due to nitrogen input from Title 5 septic. The plan for sewering must be amended to:  Eliminate all Title 5 permitting for new construction and replacement systems within nitrogen-sensitive areas  Accelerate the sewering infrastructure project to a 10-year timeline  Approve more nitrogen-removal systems for septic Without a serious change to the current approach, our waterways will be diminished leading to a falloff in tourism and real estate property values.  Sewers and water quality can NOT WAIT!  Why does the town have so many private roads? Desire a multi-use path for access from village center to Marstons Mills, Osterville and then Hyannis without vehicle traffic. Get rid of 2 acres zoning. Allow easier construction of living quarters besides detached houses. Consider a sidewalk from 28 along Putnam into the center of the Village be considered? I know there was talk of it pre-Covid. Consider a remapping of the mooring field in Cotuit Bay. The moorings could be more efficiently placed if they were in rows or a grid and quite possibly more moorings could be made available. Could an exception be made by Conservation in the summer months to allow for beach raking at Loop and Oregon to take the seaweed not just from the high tide mark but from the low tide mark also? The birds have plenty to eat over at Sampson’s. The odor from the decaying seaweed is obnoxious and the bacteria levels which closed Loop for over a week this summer are hazardous to our residents. Harbor Congestion: As an active CMYC sailor for near 60 years, I’m concerned about the future of sailing in the harbor. The good news is that Cotuit’s iconic Skiff fleet is as healthy as ever. The bad news is we are quite constrained with where we can sail. The massively expanded mooring field (once two separate fields at Town Dock and Ropes) has cut off much of the area where we once raced. In 1994 the Waterways Committee and Harbormaster agreed to a boundary the mooring field but have pushed out that boundary in recent years. At the same time, the CMYC has agreed with the Cotuit Oyster Company to make their oyster cages out of bounds and thus the racing area is pinched down to a fairly narrow corridor. We do get out of the harbor some, but the parade of speeding motorboats on weekends renders the waters near the outside channel to choppy for small boat sailing. It will be hard to get those genie’s back in the bottle but it’s critical to the future of the 116 year old institution that any more shrinkage be curtailed and that the Waterways Commission ensure the mooring boundaries expand no further. Water Quality in the harbor is also a big issue, of course, but I don’t have any particular inputs on that. Common Space: Our beautiful little village is surprisingly short of common space for the citizenry. Memorial Park and the school are about it for open space. Thanks to the BLT, we do have some woods and trails but very little of that even in the heart of the Village. Where can kids go? In theory 23 they could play pick up soccer at the school, but the state of the turf is…well calling it turf is generous. It’s probably a pipe dream to think that we might expand community space, but the shortage shines a light on the importance of renovating Memorial Park and maintaining and improving the open space at the school. Traffic and Noise: These problems are certainly not unique to Cotuit and solutions aren’t clear. I believe that the raised cross walks in the CIP queue combined with fairly recent Stop signs will help. Is there any way to reduce the speed limit? And residents of the Village remind us that it’s not only Main St where traffic is dangerous. As you may know, I and the Civic Assn are also concerned about gas power leaf blowers in the Village. They are highly polluting and amazingly noisy. The Town and Councilors are not interested in following other towns in the Commonwealth in curbing their using during the summer months. It would be great if, at minimum, the DPW could set a good example and the Town study the issue. What is one word to describe your ideal community? Individual Comment Box Responses  Quiet  Connected  Calm Inclusive Involved Open space to gather Character Share your ideas & stories Individual Comment Box Responses  We need clean water - wells, town water, and in the ponds and sea 24 Hyannis 25 Greater Hyannis Civic Association Meeting Local Comprehensive Plan Comments November 8, 2022 STRENGTHS Group Response Great hospital Hyannis is the transportation hub which is both positive and negative Waterfront and beaches Good education system with diversity of schools particularly Sturgis We live in a place where people want to live; we are a destination Thriving downtown Sea Captains Row on Pleasant Street is a beautiful development/community with market rate units within walking distance of Downtown 26 OPPORTUNITIES Group Response Hyannis has infrastructure for development including sewer and transportation Coordinate effort to beautify our village especially Downtown People come from all over country here. The waterfront is visitor’s first impression and it should be pristine. Expanding sewer to help improve environment and water quality New roads Burry the power lines To make our community more walkable and safer  Hyannis is the hub and there is huge opportunity with all of our transportation. The village has significantly grown in the last 10 years and now it is less safe. Enhanced safety needs to be a priority especially with future growth. Unique village with issues that only relate to Hyannis Enhance and develop additional recreational opportunities To celebrate our diverse community Old homes on South Street can be restored into show pieces TD Bank and Cascade are opportunities for future redevelopment Enhanced and preserved architecture can be coordinated to ensure a greater sense of community pride indicating that residents value and take care of their homes Clean up parks and beaches  Maintenance of Main Street Hyannis should be improved and budgeted for. Volunteers could be coordinated with the schools. Another opportunity would be to connect with local landscape companies to see if they could volunteer to maintain a section of Main Street. Take inventory of Hyannis rental units and open space Consider smaller developments like those on Ridgewood Avenue and High School Road that do not feel like a box and the properties are maintained We can move parking away from the harbor 27 WEAKNESSES Group Response Homeless population and social services are concentrated in Hyannis. There is a lot of money in social services. We need a better plan for human resources and relationships. We have resources but there has not been success using them Over the years, required affordable housing from projects among the various villages have been placed in Hyannis. Low income should be shared among all of Barnstable. Right now, Hyannis has significant amount of the Town’s low income housing. We do not have the life like we had in the past before businesses closed Downtown. Our middle class is disappearing. We have high and low class housing; we need to develop the middle class. Transportation among our villages and neighboring communities should be enhanced Main Street streetscape maintenance. We need to enhance maintenance of our Downtown including leaf removal as this impacts visitor’s impression of our Downtown.  Roadway maintenance. It is difficult to see painted line work on our streets at night which is dangerous. While there is an associated cost increase to enable this maintenance more regularly the cost is worth the improved safety. Safety Significant amount of land is not taxed Lack of communal character within our neighborhoods which was more prevalent 10-15 years ago  Negative reputation of being dirty and unsafe despite helping people and having a big heart. Hyannis is always on the receiving end of negativity. Concentration of social services and affordable housing in Hyannis impacts reputation. We need to spread the wealth. Not everything needs to be concentrated in Downtown. 28 CHALLENGES Group Response No other village is interested in incorporating social services Properties are not being maintained and taken care of. Owners should be held accountable especially for lots that are empty and vacant. Builders come here thinking development should exclusively be for low income Property owners allowed to keep properties in poor condition as long as they pay taxes Properties with numerous cars parked such as on Ocean Street 29 What is one word to describe your ideal community? Individual Comment Box Responses  Safe  Safe  Safe 30 Hyannis Port 31 Hyannis Port Village Association Meeting Local Comprehensive Plan Comments November 7, 2022 OPPORTUNITIES Group Response Better access for transient moorings – harbor front is underutilized More waterfront restaurants around Kalmus Beach with trolley service from terminals Extending sewer to Hyannis Port Build large facility outside Downtown Hyannis to assist homeless population CHALLENGES Group Response Future re-development of Melody Tent property Paving over green space Single-family housing turning into multi-family housing with ADUs WEAKNESSES Group Response Lack of snow plowing on Hyannis Port roads (Irving Avenue specifically) Roads are not bike-friendly Transparency regarding review of development projects Large homeless population in Hyannis Need more affordable recreation 32 Marstons Mills 33 Marstons Mills Civic Association Meeting Local Comprehensive Plan Comments January 12, 2023 What Makes Barnstable A Great Place to Live? Group Response Sense of community Activities and things for kids and community to do (bringing events back to villages) Character of town, close to water, rural roadways Water quality priority Understand ADU provisions  Wonderful place to raise kids  Challenges of opiate crisis  Keep great place for next generation  Activities for kids – preserve sports and improvements and grow opportunities Going to beach – best access to beaches on Cape Unique character of each village and center of county Opportunities: golf courses, pickleball, access to water Opportunity for young people to work and reinvest in community and connect with diverse community  Challenges of family living here  Address housing needs in villages  Bring back village day  Atmosphere – “old cape”  MM – limited access to family and recreational resources in village (playgrounds, splash pad, fields) Mills is a “drive through it” village – we need a village anchor here in MM Woods, ponds – bringing back community MM visioning plan – continue progress  MM is family, but little else to define the community More recreation, young villages, many kids Kids continue to be kids – entertainment and recreation Playgrounds for young kids, for next age, splash pads Interaction with kids and family from your village MM feels like New Hampshire with Sandy Neck 34 What Concerns You Most About Maintaining the Quality of Life in Barnstable? Individual Comment Box Responses  The population of families – we need to provide experience that is attractive  Concern for cost of living, need places to play  Growth of town and the shifting schools We need more family opportunities Some people live here because they can work remotely but we need more year-round well-paying jobs Housing, employment and need adequate facilities here especially for our young families HYCC falling into disrepair – need to maintain our facilities to attract and retain young families Each village has unique population and we need to consider where sports facilities should be located. MM has been for fishing etc. Cost for affordable housing is huge problem and why some people are leaving. Need to combine sports and housing Our community does not understand the impact of the housing crisis – impact on employees such as town and hospital. We need people to staff our restaurants. We don’t have housing to support our needs. MM school was the heart of our community MM has been the “forgotten village” We need a real playground and we need to plan when the recreation will be implemented Need to collaborate with schools on future improvements and talk among groups to ensure parties are on the same page and engage residents in public comment Improve communications across town. Enhance communications and support each other. Consider using electric signs across town and bulletin board at fire department Affordable is not actually affordable – we need studio apartments. We need housing that supports our residents who need low-income housing Need housing for residents that make $60,000-$80,000 a year Need bold ideas respectful of context Title V has not been an appropriate solution and we need the appropriate solution for our future 35 If you had one day, where would you bring a visitor? Comment Wall #1 Responses  Meadow Point in Cotuit  Sampson’s Island  The ponds in Marstons Mills If you could add one thing to Barnstable, what would it be? Comment Wall #3 Responses  More safe spaces for children  Greater sense of community  Safety Focus on creating safe spaces for children A gathering space – an anchor – a place to have fun, be safe, a place to call home to be proud of What is one word to describe your ideal community? Individual Comment Box Responses  Family friendly  Playground splash pad  Senior friendly Inclusionary Multifaceted 36 Osterville 37 Osterville Village Association Meeting Local Comprehensive Plan Comments November 1, 2022 STRENGTHS Group Response Access to our beaches The Town’s website Reviewing what we loved about Osterville 10 years ago would be a great start as not much has changed and that is what we love about Osterville. We do not want to be changed to Long Island. Appreciate Osterville’s simplicity and beauty Dowses Beach. Particularly, residents appreciate handicap access, the peaceful and beautiful scenery and the fact that it is accessible all year round. Osterville Village as it is now Osterville schools as they are now Our natural resources both land and the sea for their character and recreational opportunities. In particular, Joshuas Pond, Dowses Beach and Nantucket Sound. Osterville’s historic character and unique relationship to the sea Public access to natural resources is fabulous Our neighborhoods and the people; we have a great community. People care for and stand up for each other. Osterville is a walkable community. Residents from other Villages come to Osterville to use our sidewalks. Our Churches Osterville’s Public Library  The scale of each of our Villages. Our Villages are less dense than other communities and are set up so that they are not overrun. Village scale and our water bring people here. It is desired that the scale remains as is and it not changed in order to preserve nostalgic feeling. Our first responders Our water which is recognized as being the best in the Country and draws people to visit our Town. We planned ahead with installation of our wells which is a huge asset. Prior Local Comprehensive Plans were well done and are a good wealth of information. 38 OPPORTUNITIES Group Response Develop a well-structured questionnaire to be circulated to all residents. CHALLENGES Group Response We need to think about and plan for coastal resiliency AirBnBs. Properties within residential neighborhoods are being purchased and converted to AirBnBs. Changes to our geology over time 39 Osterville LCP Workshop at Osterville Museum Local Comprehensive Plan Comments December 13, 2022 If together we could take action on one thing to strengthen our community, what would be important to you?  Water quality and housing issues (connection)  Keeping neighborhood character and village character  Historic preservation  Iconic elements of villages: buildings, beaches, boatyards  Looking ahead—what do we need to do to keep things? Right-sized healthcare system  Specialty care access → need to travel off-cape Quality communication  Access to broadband/fiber  Competition for service Connections to support each other Preservation of open space and balancing with affordable housing Downtown Hyannis and Cape Cod Mall  Safety (not safe)  Stores closed  Corporations/generic—character missing  Worn down, biz not back  Limited selection of retail shops Housing/open space/water  Takes a good transportation system  Viability of regional transportation but service Communication and how to incentivize new business Children: places and things to do for kids (besides mall and sports) Hyannis: parking opportunities  lighting  alleys Hyannis: Touristy economic driver Adding sidewalks: East Bay Road and Sea View Avenue Preserving public access to water: beaches, ways to water Strength of village concept → avoiding homogenization of the town Strength of villages → each their own character and economic driver Diversity and vibrancy of community while understanding interests of each village 40 What concerns you most about maintaining the quality of life in Barnstable?  Water and health (30-40 years late) and public health  Hyannis as hub → draw for services and those who use them → creating fear and misperception  Thinking broadly about not concentrating  Local transportation in Town  Need a car  If need to travel for services, no choice for housing or transportation  Knowing options for transportation (ex. DART, NFP Services) Connection and communication and scheduling transportation services → more sharing Subsidizes ride share? Cord services What makes Barnstable a great place to live?  Beaches  Walking town  Diversity of businesses People Community experiences Great place to raise a family Concern about quality and reputation of public schools  Burden of families, esp. with children  Barnstable recreation- programs for kids (summer, after school) Challenges of and for teachers:  developing community and developing connections and communications Missing neighborhood feeling:  losing kids and family  Do kids have summer jobs?  Kids working in local community and supporting local businesses  Walkability  Importance of buying local  Opportunities for volunteerism in community and creating those opportunities in schools Ramping up “wrap around” services for children in BX 41 What is one word to describe your ideal community?  Village  Neighborly  Idyllic Welcoming Delightful If you had one day, where would you bring a visitor? Comment Wall #1 Responses  Sampson’s Island  Long Beach in Centerville 42 Barnstable Local Comprehensive Plan Committee Osterville Village Session, December 13, 2022 I. If together we could take action on one thing to strengthen our Community, what would be important to you? 1. Affordable housing; 2. Water quality, both drinking and ponds and streams; 3. Keep village(s) character; 4. Historical Preservation; 5. Healthcare system “right-sized” for community, i.e., Access to necessary specialists locally without leaving the Cape. 6. Public Facilities: a. Libraries b. Beaches c. Sidewalks d. Places for youth activities e. Places for adult activities 7. Quality Communications, i.e. broadband and internet; 8. Preservation of open space; 9. Balance of growth and open space; 10. Improved Main Street Hyannis as a place to go: a. Safety b. Closed stores in Cape Cod Mall 11. A good local transportation system; 12. Put in “full-fledged” sewer system; 13. Improve Public Communications; 14. Incentivize new businesses; 15. Youth activity center(s); 16. Public access to seawater plus freshwater ponds and waterways; 17. Village Community; 18. Town of Barnstable use existing facilities like museums for organized community recreation activities; 19. Educational resources [adult continuing education]; 43 20. Development of Social Communities; 21. “Wrap-Around” services for children in Town. II. What concerns you most about maintaining the quality of life in Barnstable? 1. Quality of drinking water; 2. Quality of recreational water; 3. Prospect of bringing Wind Power electrical lines into Barnstable through Covell Beach, Craigville Beach and Dowses Beach. -- 44 West Barnstable 45 West Barnstable Civic Association Meeting Local Comprehensive Plan Comments January 17, 20233 STRENGTHS Group Response Great bricks from West Barnstable Rural character and proximity to amenities Maintain strong financial status Beaches and harbor Open space (land, trees, and conservation area) and community activities/feel Resource Protection Overlay District ( RPOD) requiring 2-acre zoning Allowing “Illegal” apartments to be used would help solve housing crisis Downtown Hyannis (proposed two-way roadway) Parks and recreation Low crime Churches Thriving arts community Great relationship and communication with our fire department Friendly community and friendly drivers Large protected open space Wildlife Communication – sign boards around town Working farms with produce Meeting House Farm The roundabout at 14 46 OPPORTUNITIES Group Response Develop tiny homes (6-8 units) on Town property to pay rent to the Town Village streets aren’t safe – need more sidewalks Missing low-income family housing. Impossible to find this housing here. Also need starter homes for young families. Our kids won’t be able to live here. Need less age-restricted housing. Can’t walk on sidewalks as they are overgrown. We need to enhance and maintain our sidewalks. Traffic – other communities have turning lanes at choke points  Paid parking in Downtown Hyannis would be unfair to restaurants and merchants. Suggest that we incorporate paid parking when other cape communities do as well and that when we incorporate paid parking we do so across all of our villages. Need to create affordable housing; currently it is slow to be developed More restaurants Need to coordinate efforts to protect Bridge Creek Abandoned schools Climate resiliency – require solar and protect forest coverage. Also consider Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) Oak Street is awful; consider roundabout there 47 WEAKNESSES Group Response Access to internet and associated cost for residents and businesses Expense of cost of living Lack of diversity No municipal trash/sewer/water (5) different fire departments Concern BWB elementary – shortage of staff requires investment for infrastructure etc. Abandoned schools (also an opportunity) Future drinking water source will be lost to Hyannis. We need it here. Protect drinking water source. Consolidate wells across town. Our Water Commissioner is underfunded and lacks a voice Working too fast to drill water here to Hyannis yet years away from Town-wide water  Not all roads are owned by the town. If improvements are made on private roads to engineer’s standard why can’t the Town then take ownership of the roads? It is up those who live on private roads to pay the costs associated with improvements and they are also required to pay the same taxes as people who live on public roads. The stretch of 6A between 132 and 149 is very dangerous. The speed limit varies and it particularly dangerous for school kids. Public safety concern. Suggest increasing signage. Vehicle speed on 149 Need to create affordable housing; currently it is slow to be developed Aging population 48 CHALLENGES Group Response Drinking water Retaining service workers with cost of housing Year-round work opportunities and people to fill those jobs Increasing severity of storms Threats to shellfishing Litter and garbage Independence Park is zoned industrial; we should change zoning for job creation No municipal water in WB and the threat of salt water in private wells Zoning – consider amending and establishing lot coverage thresholds Rental capacity is diminished Wind energy and our beaches and lack of public involvement Frightened about water capacity here in WB Septic systems 49 If you had one day, where would you bring a visitor? Comment Wall #1 Responses  To the bus station  Sandy Neck  Bone Hill What is your favorite road to travel down? Comment Wall #2 Responses  The South Street drag strip from Sea Street to Ocean Street  Cotuit If you could add one thing to Barnstable, what would it be? Comment Wall #3 Responses  Save Twin Brooks 50 Town Wide Comments 51 General Public Comment (submitted through 1-19-2023) Local Comprehensive Plan General Public Comment Hyannis Residents  Instead of a vision I would like to offer the following:  Great job transforming Hyannis Main Street thus far. It's important the remaining vacant commercial buildings get repurposed / re-leased; we should encourage existing businesses to improve their facades as well (grants?). More upscale businesses would be welcome on Main Street.  One easy thing we could do in Hyannis is to remove the trees / small building in front of the Village Green / Bandstand to improve visibility from Main Street. For all the times I have been on Main St., I never notice the village green which is really nice (but feels very hidden).  I think Sea Street could become an extension of Main Street and serve as a connection between the beaches and downtown Hyannis. It would look nice if we had a couple upscale coffee shops, country store, news stand on Sea St.  Barnstable beaches seem very restrictive in terms of allowable activities (no ball throwing, frisbee, boogie boards, etc). This basically says families are not welcome and is why a number of our friends now travel to Road Island, Maine, or Virginia beach for their summer vacations.  Is it me or does there seem to be an increase in homeless folks on Main Street over the past couple of years? We need to help these folks for sure but I am not sure you want this so prevalent on Main Street.  Some of the markets such as the Ocean Street Market off Old Colony and Sea Street Provisions off of Sea Street need to be re-imagined. Not a good look for the town especially being so close to the beaches.  Thanks for asking for input and for all of your hard work.  Beautification of downtown Hyannis to attract more local business owners to join the community.  Clean up the streets by getting rid of all the trash , concrete confetti, rotten plants and move all the homeless people somewhere and also fund or restore housing program buildings or make respectable apartments or houses cheaper. Stop. Slow down and look around. What do you see? Too much traffic, not enough drinking water, not enough wastewater treatment, no parks, polluted estuaries, outdated housing stock and very limited employment outside the trades. How do you fix this? 1) 18 month building moratorium until necessary wastewater infrastructure is approved and funded. 2) New drinking water wells with adequate safeguards to remove contaminants. 3) Tax incentives for updating and expanding existing properties whether they be ADUs or more 52 floors on existing apartments. 4) Town lead efforts to build senior housing and more affordable housing in all villages 5) Aggressive home purchase program to buy housing in established neighborhoods for updating 6) Consider developing more parks in Hyannis and start planting trees in established neighborhoods. 7) Buy some of the older vacant buildings in downtown and start business incubators 8) Change the Town Charter to allow for an elected mayor and at large councilors. No more smoke shops, tattoo shops expansion of high school more space for businesses. More property have multiple commercial vehicles, equipment construction waste homes multiple in register vehicles. Starts a trend that more households do the same. They been reported nothing done. Totally agree we have affordable housing shortage but allowing homeowners to increase housing in their homes many homes are already beyond capacity limit. Town land businesses develop more housing. Thank You!  An (business) environment where people can earn a great living through the economic development of opportunity - similar to the Falmouth WHOI Model. Barnstable too should share in the opportunities that a Blue Economy offers - yet to date we do not. No longer can Barnstable rely on primarily lower income service and tourist jobs - we must expand our horizons. This would be congruent with the Strategic Plan and offer residents a better life. Economic Development is essential and must be broader than simply real estate and building development which increases the wealth of a select few.  I want to live in a healthy, safe, culturally diverse, friendly/welcoming community that is attractive and provides at minimum: (not in order of priority)  adequate infrastructure and resources, such as clean, safe water; sewers; utilities  adequate, affordable, varied housing to meet the different needs of its residents,  well-equipped and adequate in number fire, police and emergency personnel;  high-quality educational schools/programs pre-k thru Senior continuing ed;  wide variety of opportunities for recreation spanning youth-Senior population;  governed by a representative, transparent and accountable town government,  timely access to primary, preventive, emergency, rehabilitative AND mental Health care  preserve the historical and aesthetic "charm" of Cape Cod that makes Barnstable what it has been...maintain and enforce guidelines on zoning, signage, encourage commercial cooperation in development of malls, etc.  preserve precious open space and undeveloped land  plan for potential climate change, eroding coastlines, etc.  BEWARE of out of town developers   Widespread bicycle, pedestrian, and public transportation infrastructure.  Strong enforcement of traffic laws.  Greatly reduced light and noise pollution.  Along with the ocean and ponds, one of the things which drives tourism is Cape Cod's older architecture. Zoning regulations for development of residential and commercial buildings should enforce external styling that employs and pays tribute to historic Cape Cod.  Strong, widespread, and proactive enforcement of town code. 53  Ban the sale of nips and single use alcohol containers.  Town Department of Public Works collection of trash and recyclables rather than individuals bringing same to transfer station.  Ban use of most fertilizers, weed killers, and other poisons on lawns and in gardens.  P.S. Thanks for the opportunity to comment. Better regulations on occupancy outside storage vehicles. Better appearance and more shops not restaurants. Vibrant / modernized Main Street. I’d like to see the Main Street buildings improved and those that are vacant / aging re-purposed. Too many notable vacancies. The liquor store draws too many vagrants. 54 General Public Comment Barnstable Village Residents  Safer roads with less congestion and limited future building in already overcrowded locations. Protect water supplies. Create safer bicycle access on roads and create new bike trails to connect existing trails.  Here are some suggestions:  More shops in the Village. Shopping draws visitors.  The Village also needs an ice cream shop.  Finish putting a sidewalk all the way down Bragg’s Lane.  Maybe give out tickets for speeding  More reliable internet. Very hard to work here as Comcast keeps dropping  Sustainable, walkable, accessible to all with emphasis on reduced use of gas in both public and private vehicles. Just a comment: I would like to see the Swap Shop at the Town Dump reopen. I was told that a new structure to house it is required. Am wondering if anyone is working on that. The Swap Shop was very popular and an asset the community. Very sorry it is closed. Beautify the downtown, increase usable open spaces and parks, increase pedestrian and visitor interest, add a major museum or attraction, increase winter attractions and business, ease congestion, and improve connections to other towns and off-cape hubs via biking, rail, and more  To see Hyannis made into a safe and updated tourist destination: no homelessness, low crime, newer lodgings, updated restaurants, etc. Hyannis has the ocean and all the basics right there to make it like another Naples, FL. Yet it also has a lot working against it. I live here and never go there--don't feel safe.  To maintain its historical significance, to improve transportation in order to lessen traffic, to maintain population level in keeping w/protection of land/water sources, to support initiative to widen two existing canal bridges.  To clean up Ocean Street to North Street, as these streets are priceless to the town of Barnstable, as you can see in The Historical time of Hyannis. HYANNIS should be The Place on THE MAP, instead to the off season people we are a laugh upon. We could be so much better than Nantucket and SHOULD BE, as we don’t have to catch the ferry in bad weather….. The town should buy the old movie theater on MAIN STREET gut it…..rent it out as market, music, weddings….. Save the water front of Hyannis as it is Historical and PRICELESS and should be on The Map places to go! The Kalmus Beach should have a Town High End Trailer Park of 50….$200-$300 a night. Bringing in some jobs for the disability…. 55 We need to bring more High End things for people to spend their money on so The Town of Barnstable will be wealthy again, as those people are leaving the big cities… Attended meeting this week at St Mary’s Church. Lots of great ideas, however, control of PARKING issues should be addressed before any plans are put in place. In regards to community planning, the most logical long term plan for Barnstable (specifically Cotuit) is to utilize the elementary school as a community center. The first step would be to allocate tax dollars to help assist with asbestos remediation. Once this is achieved a planning committee can set out to program the space. What is needed in the area is a space for events, youth sports, technical help, community garden, a dog park etc. Once planned I strongly think the community and businesses would be very willing to make donations to help achieve this goal. 56 General Public Comment Centerville Residents  Build up Hyannis into the year round capital of Cape Cod, protect the coast and no more building near marshes, rivers.  The ~2-3 foot diameter corrugated pipe under Old Stage Road, adjacent to the Nottingham Drive intersection, that drains northeast from the cranberry bog is largely filled with mud. It needs to be cleared regularly. Annually, during autumn, I have raked leaves from the bog ditch leading to the drainage pipe. In past years, with well above average rain/snow events, the bog’s pond, directly opposite our property, has filled to the point that our basement floods, and stays flooded for weeks, necessitating frequent sump pumping! The basements of the homes south of us on Old Stage Road have also flooded. The recent effort, by the Town, to remedy the flooding on the northeast end of Old Falmouth Road may enhance our problem. It is the Town’s responsibility to remove debris accumulating in the pipe under Old Stage Road. The problem was exacerbated years ago when Hyde Park Road was constructed and houses built. The small pond there, and the one beyond it, were blocked in hopes of them not becoming dry mud holes in summer. This has prevented the natural flow of high-ground water toward Wequaquet Lake. On behalf of the bog owner, and local residents, I request that the ‘Barnstable Development Plan’ prioritize this request to remove the debris from the drainage pipe under Old Stage Road. 57 General Public Comment Cotuit Residents  Healthy, open-minded residents who care about each other. We have become noted for our tolerance and acceptance of all legal points of view. Our residents and business owners are proud to be in Barnstable, as noted by how well they maintain their properties.  Connect Hyannis’s three transportation Hubs and ocean access to the rail trail by utilizing the area adjacent to existing rail bed that runs parallel to Yarmouth Road into Hyannis. Complete the trail to the bus station with a “spur” along the route into the airport terminal. Convert the length of Old Colony Road into a “Green Space” providing walking/bike riding access from Hyannis’s East End to the harbor and Sea Street Beach. Partner with the utility Eversource to fund the project exchanging the right to lay conduit beneath the new green space/ bike lane which will enable them to connect the Outer Banks wind turbines to their existing electrical grid along Route 6. As for the continuation of the trail beyond Mary Dunn Road how about establishing an arrangement with the Barnstable County towns of Sandwich, Mashpee, Falmouth and Bourne that would create an agreement in which Eversource would support the building of bike ways within the power line easements with the ultimate intention of connecting up with the Canal Trail and Shinning Sea Trail in Falmouth.  Hopefully not to disrupt the peaceful environment that we all love! Projects that have been proposed disrupt people’s lives and cause uncertainty and stress particularly for the elderly! Please do not run over the people who have little time left in this world. Additional taxes levied for projects should come from the businesses and tourist industry. Not the simple quiet home owners! To clean up the ocean, have clean and cancer free ( from carcinogens ) water to drink. Improved roads, especially side roads and those heavily traveled roads that are labeled private. Better drinking water quality, increased police presence, affordable senior housing. Better beach cleanup on town beaches and increased seasonal life guards.  Barnstable needs to remain a small town. Being a small town is what makes this a great place to live. Large scale construction and bowing to the wishes of the ultra rich, who spend only a matter of weeks per year in our community, is not how this town should proceed. Re-open the public shooting range. Restrict the hours if needed to reduce noise. Install acoustic buffers. Increased membership costs is acceptable, having it closed is simply not in any way acceptable. When the nearby property owners complain, remind them that the range was in place before they bought their homes and that it was acceptable to them when they purchased. Work with the state government to ensure that large portions of the states infrastructure funding makes its way to the Cape. I'm getting tired of the terrible roads, terrible internet options and speeds, and the fact that cell phone coverage in certain areas is a joke. We lose calls all over 58 Barnstable. While it is true that housing in Barnstable is hard to find for young families and persons with lower income there are fewer options here that present themselves well to the existing town residents. Large apartment complexes and condo's are not the answer. They may seem like a good short term solution but when they are built as low cost they tend to be low quality and they look very unappealing after short periods. I have seen this in other towns and cities off Cape. It is also inevitable that as soon as the property owner can increase rent, it will happen and force low income tenants out, I have seen this in the past too. A good solution is difficult to institute but if the town decided to limit the number of large construction projects (over 3000sqft) and favor unlimited development of homes at 1200-2000sqft this may help the issue. I see too many >3000sqft and huge waterfront homes going up where no one will live and not enough smaller homes being built. Resource protection is also extremely important. The town should hire trained resource monitors and advisers to track not only natural resources but industrial resources too. The Cape Cod Commission does not do enough here after construction. Resource Advisers could travel to businesses and advise on ways save energy. This is beyond what programs like Mass Save does. I have worked at companies and been in stores around the area that waste so much energy because of lazy practices. Things like leaving lights on in empty rooms, leaving door open the allow outside temperatures in, wasteful use of water, as well as many others. There should also be town water department inspectors that actually enforce water restrictions in time of drought. Over the summer I saw the big multi-million dollar homes watering their lawns twice a day while we were under extreme drought conditions. The rich should not be allowed to pay their way past restrictions, while the rest of us follow the rules and suffer the consequences. The economy on Cape Cod is very hospitality oriented which is great. We all love to go out to eat, enjoy a day trip to a great attraction, enjoy the beaches, and other Cape Cod specific things. The problem is these businesses are closing, either for good or cutting hours due to staff shortages. This affects Barnstable and the people that live and visit here. Over the summer restaurants and businesses were severely under performing and have been since March 2020. Stores and restaurants have sold, closed, or severely reduced hours. This is a drain to the economy and is also difficult to fix. Perhaps the town should look to assist those businesses. If a business has had to cut hours, turn away business, lay off employees or reduce its size in anyway the town should assist with a refund of taxes for that period to help increase available funds which might help the business get more help or increase pay to retain employees. This can be a partial refund or allow future taxes to be postponed or eliminated for a preset time frame. Proposing new taxes on large chain stores or increasing them would be a good idea as well. Stores like Best Buy, Harbor Freight, Dicks Sporting Goods, etc, should be paying more local taxes since a large portion of the money made in those stores is taken out of the local economy. These can be temporary taxes or permanent. Barnstable needs to be more than the Cape Cod home for big box stores, big apartment/condo complexes, hotels, and other mega businesses that detract from the small town feel. The less Barnstable looks like a small town, the less it actually is a small town. 59  Clean water, better sewage management, controlled growth with emphasis on expanded lower cost housing, improved transport to Boston.  WATER USE MANAGEMENT Develop an incentive program for large (consumer, not commercial) water users to dig their own wells for irrigation. GOING GREEN I believe that the town has an opportunity during sewering to install water gardens that can also help to mitigate runoff. BETTER CIVIC/ SERVICE PARTICIPATION PIPELINE Currently, our District (7) suffers from relatively low civic participation and is challenged to recruit participants with diverse skills, experiences etc. My vision for the Town of Barnstable is that we dedicate resources and efforts to become an exemplary town of civic participation from all walks of life/ constituencies. POLICE/ FIRE RECRUITMENT As with many towns across the nation during this post-COVID era is suffering from understaffed fire, rescue & police personnel. I would like to see the Town of Barnstable address this issue proactively, from providing affordable housing to recruits to developing a cadets-type program either through Cape Cod Tech or on their own to develop (hopefully) a pipeline of recruits, as before. WORKING WITH PROXIMATE TOWNS Further, I hope that Barnstable will engage in active ongoing collaborations with abutting communities. Personally, as a resident on almost-dead Shoestring Bay, which is fed by basically dead Santuit Pond in Mashpee (with a large percentage of homes on the pond without even septic tanks at this time!!!), I have not seen much in the way of collaboration to address these issues, which is worrisome, as water flows in and out of towns. I understand that Yarmouth currently does not have a Water Treatment plant, which is dumping into Hyannis. PUBLIC/ PRIVATE ROADS STANDARDS This is an issue that seems primed to address as part of the 30 year sewering program. I hope Barnstable to be able to sort out the Public/ Private roadway standards (requiring private roadways be held to a standard that allows for safe *at speed* driving for emergency vehicles (which is not the case on parts of Santuit Rd, for example)). New regulations/ laws needed. COMMUNITY SPACE For Cotuit, I hope we can establish a location somewhere where we could have a clearer gathering place where the village can congregate on occasions other than Christmas in Cotuit... perhaps a bandshell by the library or space at the elementary school or something... no clear space really does that (that is not religiously affiliated). Public sewer sooner rather than later. The elementary school renovated into a community center for young and old including an open gym 60  Maintain the small village atmosphere that it has during the off season.  More bike lanes or multiuse paths for major roadways such as Putnam & Main. The town doesn't own a wide enough roadway to add bike lanes everywhere but the major higher speed roads extend well beyond the current pavement. If biking felt safe, we could cut the car traffic in town, especially in the summer when it is at its worst. 61 General Public Comment West Barnstable Residents  I am a resident of West Barnstable, age 75. I have tried to take the LCPC survey twice and both times gave up. The survey is WAY too long and it does not ask the right questions. For instance there is no mention of crime. It asks too many details about the respondent. This survey seems designed to NOT find any problems. Barnstable suffers the same problems that many small cities suffer – too many regulations. There is too much crime and not enough punishment. The town services seem to be mostly efficient. The roads are OK. Recreation is good. The school dept. needs serious consideration. I have opinions but I am not willing to answer a pointless survey.  Clean up the drug issue and the gangs, and please get someone to restore the rail road bridge on 6-A before someone gets killed! 62 General Public Comment Marstons Mills Residents  Barnstable needs to be a place where people in all levels of the middle class flourish. We are, at our core, a town made of hard-working people. We need a public school to which residents want to send their kids. We need recreational activities to be accessible to the people. And we need citizens who work full-time jobs to be able to comfortably live here and enjoy the beauty of this town. I envision a Barnstable that celebrates all diversity and makes people want to live here full-time and make the community better.  I would like to see bicycle friendly roadways and public transportation that makes the commercial areas easily accessible without needing a vehicle. I would like to see growth limited by the environment's ability to absorb that growth. I would like to see regulations that encourage multi- family residences and discourage the single-family sprawl that has chewed up so much of the environment in Barnstable. I would like to see efforts to actively reduce the current residential sprawl that has taken over so much of the Town. Maintaining and develop a tree canopy in Hyannis and public areas of the town of Barnstable for future heating/cooling of the urban center. Make shopping areas like in Marstons Mills accessible by walking-need sidewalks on Rt. 28. Provide support/resources for local companies to help employ local people and help with finding housing. Encourage trade organizations to offer resources for safety training for new companies. Support entrepreneurship in the arts and trades with supportive land zoning. 63 General Public Comment Osterville Residents  Osterville should remain a lovely historical village that first serves its residents and visitors. Main Street should offer small shops, coffee shops and small restaurants for social gathering and creating community. Osterville does not need to be a complex of larger buildings and commercial activities. It is an intimate town that is slowly being taken over by real estate and construction offices. This does not promote a sense of belonging to a community. In town offerings should be for community experiences like meeting friends for ice-cream and dinner. Osterville needs to support more small stores and restaurants, not bigger stores and restaurants! The residential area surrounding town should remain relatively sparse and small town like. That is an essential part of Osterville’s appeal! Osterville is not Hyannis!! Please don’t make it that. Be careful of Airbnb’s that consume our housing and create unpleasant havoc for surrounding neighbors. Dense housing should be in places with large box stores like the complex in Marstons Mills that is already complete with Grocery, hardware, banks, pharmacy, etc. This kind of location is ripe for dense housing. Not the back yards of Osterville that impose crowding, noise, more septic issues on neighbors. Airbnb units will NOT help Osterville as a vibrant and successful community though it may make a few investors richer. Thank you for your consideration.  My vision is that our beloved beaches will remain as they have always been to nurture and protect our wildlife and marine life and for the enjoyment of Barnstable residents and not be destroyed by major industrial ill-conceived plans to bring in large high voltage cables from a yet to be built wind farm off MV. Local residents have had no ability to vote against this insidious project as there has been no transparency at all from our Town of Barnstable officials and most of the residents know nothing about this and the threat it poses to the business district in Osterville as the roads are dug up and indeed the toxicity threats from the planned substation on Oak Street to our water supply. These threats were well expressed by the attorneys for the Town of Barnstable in their response to the ENF by Avangrid/Commonwealth Wind. Hopefully a solution can be found to this threat to our whole way of life and a more appropriate landing site will be enlisted; i.e. New Bedford, Brayton Point or even the decommissioned nuclear plant at Plymouth or the plant in Sandwich.  For Barnstable, and EACH of its villages, to become a more appealing place for both residents and tourists. The new Tractor Supply Store in Hyannis does the opposite (an eyesore for visitors and for its local residents). Businesses like this should be restricted, for example, to the Independence Drive area of Hyannis. Furthermore, with plenty of empty business buildings around, new ones should be encouraged to locate in them rather than on undeveloped land. And when undeveloped land like this is at risk, Community Preservation Funds should be used. NEXT, the local housing crisis. Barnstable needs to address the current trend of individuals/developers (in state & out of state) buying homes to be vacation rentals, reducing the 64 available housing stock for our residents. Limit AirBnB’s to homes that are owner-occupied at least 9 months of the year? No short-term rentals in our residential neighborhoods? Higher taxes on these to make them less profitable? And to increase housing options for middle & lower income residents, focus on new rental units, such as apartments & townhouses, with exteriors that “fit in” on Cape Cod, and carefully located (walk to transportation & jobs). These can more efficiently/quickly increase our housing. As I proposed above for businesses, this should never be on undeveloped land (which should be preserved). Finally, historic preservation is always important - our old architecture is partly what draws visitors to the Cape. 65 Comment Walls Town of Barnstable Submitted through 1-19-2023 If you had one day, where would you bring a visitor? Comment Wall #1 Responses  Osterville and Craigville Beach  I would take them to the waterfront, Ocean St. docks, craft cottages, Baxters.  Dowses beach, Marconi beach, Sandy Neck beach Woods Hole Kalmus Beach The beach Osterville Main Street Provincetown Mashpee Commons Provincetown Beach The beaches Provincetown National Seashore Kids to the beach and adults to Main Street Hyannis Sandy Neck The beach Provincetown Dowses Sandy Neck Beach Chatham Sandy Neck, Sturgis library, four seas ice cream/historic Centerville Nantucket Chatham Shopping down 6A and a sunset Jeep ride on the ORV beach at Sandy Neck followed by dinner & cocktails at Tugboats. Mashpee Commons Sandy Neck Beach Kalmus Beach Barnstable Harbor Sandy Neck Keep Dowses Free! No electric lines. No wind turbines. Open this beach all the way year round! Open the point (Sandy Neck) Fishermen go here (Cotuit Bay/North Bay/West Bay) 66 Wequaquet Lake Sandy Neck Scudder Lane boat landing launch Barnstable Village Paddle boarding (Wequaquet Lake) Hyannis Harbor Eugenia Fortes Beach Mall and try diff foods, go shopping Old Mill Road/Main Street, Osterville Craigville Beach Dowses Beach 67 What is your favorite road to travel down? Comment Wall #2 Responses  Main Street through Centerville & Osterville  Craigville Beach Road  Route 6A in the Dennis/Brewster section Wianno- Sea View Ave - Parker Rd. Osterville Main Street Hyannis 6A 6A 6A 6A 6A Road from dowses beach to Craigville beach 6A 6A 6A Main Street Hyannis Old Jail Road Independence Drive 6A I didn't realize how much I needed Phinney's Lane Rte 6A if I have time. Rte 6 if I need to get somewhere quickly Rt 28 6A Rt 81 6A 6A 6A 6A 6A Ocean Street 6A anywhere it goes! 68 If you could add one thing to Barnstable, what would it be? Comment Wall #3 Responses  A coffee shop/bakery in Centerville near 4 Seas ice cream A bike trail that connects to the Rail Trail in both directions, toward Falmouth and toward Yarmouth Walkable streets including Route 28 Marstons Mills and more tree canopy in Hyannis More respect for and better response to public comment Community gardens Winter indoor activities for families Public transportation A roller skating rink A bustling downtown with new live, work, and play buildings Affordable housing for families and couples-middle income people with jobs but can’t afford anything here Dowses beach true resident only, no renters  Add more sidewalks Better pedestrian and bike access Dependable public transportation so we don’t have to drive everywhere Need an attraction for kids on Main Street Hyannis. This would allow entire families to spend more time and money at our local stores. A sidewalk/bike lane on Phinney’s lane between 132 and 28. We are missing a one mile link for pedestrian traffic between Barnstable village and Centerville. People would be able to safely ride a bike from Craigvillle beach to Millway and connect to the future rail trail extension. A great steakhouse Bike paths More walking trails in the inaccessible so-called conservation land that millionaires "donate" to the town for tax breaks. It's disgraceful to not have walking trails and parking areas that make this actually useable by the public. Affordable workforce housing would make it a lot more pleasant to live here. Apartments!!!! Regulations restricting air bnbs and corporate ownership of residences in traditional residential neighborhoods Sanity Someone to pick up trash on roadways Dog friendly beach opportunities “in season”. Like Tuesday-Thursday 5pm to close. Fine jerks that don’t pick up poop. I would pay for a pup pass in season…. A safe thriving downtown Town swimming pool Walmart Consistent rail service to Boston 69 Barnstable 55+ Community Safety Day Local Comprehensive Plan Comments September 22, 2022 If you had one day, where would you bring a visitor? Comment Wall #1 Responses  Audubon Long Pasture Sanctuary  The Courthouse  Rendezvous Lane way to the water Tour of local Churches in Barnstable Route 6A Sandy Neck Hyannis Yacht Club Sandy Neck Sandy Neck Senior Center Barnstable COA Whale watch Sandy Neck 4 Seas Ice Cream Craigsville Beach Dowses Beach Audubon Long Pasture Sanctuary Dowses Beach Sampson’s Island General Comments Individual Comment Box Responses  Speed humps in Centerville Main Street  Sidewalk along Phinneys Lane to connect residents both from the North and the South to the beaches We need asphalt walking paths We need a good boardwalk 70 Hyannis Open Streets Local Comprehensive Plan Questionnaire October 16, 2022 What is one word to describe your ideal community? Hyannis Residents  Quality education  Welcoming  Friendly Accepting Clean  Patience  Walkable  Intergenerational activities Nice Interactive  Safe  Walkable  Good for kids Safe Safe  Inclusive  Together  Unified Friendly People Open spaces 71 What is your favorite thing about your community? Hyannis Residents  Safe sidewalks  Programming and events, recreation department  Beaches The mall and shopping The events on the streets  A quiet community  Walkable community  Everything is convenient In the middle of everything Convenient to bus, ferries, transportation 72 What is one thing that you would add to the Town of Barnstable? Hyannis Residents  More stores, more people, better property maintenance  Events, educational quality is low, more city life  Fix power outages, Drive around and look at museums  Trash pickup Deal with homelessness in Hyannis More programming and accessibility to events  Community playground  Lighting streets  Sewer Educate about the difference between homelessness and mental illness/addiction Market Basket where Kmart is and sustainable housing  Face painting  Need to have storefront with items with refill products, no more containers. Transportation for elderly population.  Water park More big box stores, more national restaurants, more shopping choices, like a Walmart More bike paths and more walkability  It's pretty perfect  Affordable housing  Grocery store, bike lanes, speed enforcement on Main Street Hyannis More programming More recreation  More of these street festivals  More affordable housing  Program to assist homelessness Kids museum, more activities ,particularly in for kids, splash pad, foods trucks, indoor playground More [saftey roadway] signs for kids, need lights on strawberry hill roads, better fences between commercial to residential development  Less traffic  Bakery on Main Street in Hyannis  More speeding signs More kid friendly outdoor Fix power outages, drive around and look at museums 73 General Comments Hyannis Residents  Need more housing for teachers More police enforcement  Festivals  Need a Ninja gym  Plan for global warming. Worried about rising tides and health, beaches. Repainted roads Playgrounds Winter and off season activities that would get residents out to support local businesses  We need a grocery store within walking/biking distance main street in Hyannis  DPW work on east end sidewalks, more accessible, improve snow plowing  More kids events like Open Streets Need more housing for teachers 74 What is one word to describe your ideal community? Barnstable Village Residents  Community culture  Safe Friendly  Inclusive  Walkable  Friendly Safe  Local  Connected What is your favorite thing about your community? Barnstable Village Residents  JFK Museum What is one thing that you would add to the Town of Barnstable? Barnstable Village Residents  Coffee, sidewalks, open streets in Hyannis More public transportation  More plowing  Housing  Make the beaches free More kids activities  Public salt water access  Less zoning regulation, easier process for businesses  Better recycling  More things for kids, indoor in winter General Comments Barnstable Village Residents  We love where we live More of open streets festivals and things like it  Greener community ex. solar panels 75 What is one word to describe your ideal community? Centerville Residents  Inclusive  Family friendly Older  Kid friendly  Caring  Nice Friendly and safe  Safe  Inclusive  Crime free  Accessible Inclusive  Safe  Amazing What is your favorite thing about your community? Centerville Residents  The food and everything here (convenient)  Walkable community 76 What is one thing that you would add to the Town of Barnstable? Centerville Residents  Year round music venue Community swimming pool, more kids museums like Masphee  More community stuff  Swimming pool  More community centers and after school childcare Playgrounds  Fishing, sidewalks on Phinneys  Decentralize homeless problem from Hyannis  Better housing for 20 somethings  Better roads Deli in downtown  Citizens committee that reports to Town Council that comprises A WIDE RANGING AGE GROUPS  Market Basket  More kids playgrounds  Parks and recreation for middle age adults (youth center, senior center, nothing in between) Public transportation, shared bikes or scooters  Spanish food General Comments Centerville Residents  More stuff in winter Better sidewalks  Update traffic lights. Private streets should revert back to town.  It is good to see advocacy groups and information is important, don't see them doing it as much as in the past. Like the library  Need speed enforcement  Happy about connections to sewer 77 What is one word to describe your ideal community? Cotuit Residents  Safe  Fun What is one thing that you would add to the Town of Barnstable? Cotuit Residents  Bike trail More rooftop restaurants, bars, and outdoor dining, preferably by the water General Comments Cotuit Residents  Town does have noticeable improvements with transportation 78 What is one word to describe your ideal community? Marstons Mills Residents  Nice  Accessible Fun  Crime free  Scenery What is your favorite thing about your community? Marstons Mills Residents  Festivals  Events and gatherings What is one thing that you would add to the Town of Barnstable? Marstons Mills Residents  Playgrounds More bike trails, redoing playgrounds  Water park  Water park  Affordable housing Clean water, improve the main roads  Skate park General Comments Marstons Mills Residents  My road Trotters Lane was made private and now I don't get plowed 79 What is one word to describe your ideal community? Osterville Residents  Togetherness  Safe What is your favorite thing about your community? Osterville Residents  Environment and the clean water What is one thing that you would add to the Town of Barnstable? Osterville Residents  More stuff Downtown More unity  More kids activities and events General Comments Osterville Residents  Likes expanded outdoor dining, bring barriers back, safe walking streets Allow more housing  Need something for our children 80 What is one word to describe your ideal community? West Barnstable Residents  Safe  Clean What is your favorite thing about your community? West Barnstable Residents  Beaches and transportation What is one thing that you would add to the Town of Barnstable? West Barnstable Residents  Connected bike trails and paths Better diversity within schools and programs. Making sure no one gets left behind 81 What is one word to describe your ideal community? Anonymous & Non-Residents  Clean  Beaches Walkable  Nice  Friendly  Helping people Safe  Safe  Diverse What is your favorite thing about your community? Anonymous & Non-Residents  Hyannis Main Street, shopping, village green, artist shanties  Beaches  Lots of recreational and kids activities Friendly people, neighbors looking out for each other What is one thing that you would add to the Town of Barnstable? Anonymous & Non-Residents  More affordable kids activities Bike lanes, transportation, more cafes  Carnivals and fairs  Friend’s houses  Improve Route 28 Local transportation around town, particularly on weekends  Affordable housing  More accessible kids recreational activities More activities especially in winter, more gatherings  Community art center  Snowball fights 82 General Comments Anonymous & Non-Residents  Beaches should be free, keep locals, more families More playgrounds  More electric cars  Like 6A and West Barnstable; like Main Street Hyannis More parking at beaches for residents  More family friendly spaces indoors, options hard in the winter  More after school activities for kids 83 Hyannis Open Streets Comment Wall Responses October 16, 2022 If you had one day, where would you bring a visitor? Comment Wall #1 Responses  Mashpee Wampanoag Indian Museum  Oyster Harbor  Crosby Boat Yard Craigville Beach Veterans Beach West Beach Hyannisport Hyannis Harbor Hyannis Harbor Main Street Hyannis Downtown Hyannis Adult Community Center Whydah Museum and Chatham Harbor Sandy Neck Sandy Neck Sandy Neck View at courthouse Port and art walk Joshua’s Pond Joshua’s Pond 84 What is your favorite road to travel down? Comment Wall #2 Responses  6A  6A  6A 6A but not in the summer Commerce Lane 28 Hyannis Main Street Wianno Avenue Sea View Avenue Rendezvous Lane If you could add one thing to Barnstable, what would it be? Comment Wall #3 Responses  Water park  Save Twin Brooks  Bike path extended from Yarmouth More open green space More indoor activities in winter Playground/indoor pool Sewers Sewers all over Sidewalk Local coffee shop Affordable housing Housing apartments and 1 BR annual rentals Grocery store Extend sidewalk to Eugena Fortes An art wall 85 Barnstable Youth Soccer Local Comprehensive Plan Questionnaire October 10, 2022 What is one word to describe your ideal community? Hyannis Residents  Safe  Healthy  Special Big Fun What is one thing that you would add to the Town of Barnstable Hyannis Residents  Free beach access  Public park  Things to do More soccer fields More sports stuff General Comments Hyannis Residents  Young families in Hyannis don’t have options for outdoor spaces 86 What is one word to describe your ideal community? Marstons Mills Resident  Friendly What is one thing that you would add to the Town of Barnstable Marstons Mills Resident  Clean up groups What is one word to describe your ideal community? West Barnstable Resident  Affordable for all residents What is one thing that you would add to the Town of Barnstable West Barnstable Resident  Consolidation of fire districts What is one word to describe your ideal community? Centerville Resident  Caring What is one thing that you would add to the Town of Barnstable Centerville Resident  Community football and soccer fields 87 Barnstable High School AP Government Vision Statements Vision Statement #1  The Town will preserve its summer tourist boom and conservation of ecologically vulnerable areas while expanding non-summer economic viability and availability of affordable housing options. The COVID-19 pandemic has shown our vulnerability to an economic freeze when tourist attractions are unable to bring capital revenue. Vision Statement #2  In the future, we hope the Barnstable community has more interactive seasonal activities (specifically for the winter) to ensure more entertainment for residents. One of the major issues this town faces is its lack of environmental concern. Our beaches and marshes are what make our town so special and we need to enhance our focus regarding their downfall. Vision Statement #3  Better roads, more snow plows and improve smell coming from the wastewater treatment plant. 88 Winter Open House Local Comprehensive Plan Comments December 14, 2022 Strengths Individual Comment Box Responses  Village character and variety  Natural resources  Historical interest Beaches Recreational opportunities Opportunities Individual Comment Box Responses  Create more green space particularly in underserved Hyannis  Improve trail system and recreational opportunities for residents and visitors Weaknesses Individual Comment Box Responses  Crowding  Inattention to critical environmental issues: water, tree cover, marshes, ocean, use of pesticides, etc. Challenges Individual Comment Box Responses  Water quality  Lack of open space  Overbuilding Fragile sole source aquifer 89 If you had one day, where would you bring a visitor? Comment Wall #1 Responses  Port Cargo  Cotuit  Covell Beach Sandy Neck Beaches Drive down 6A Ocean Street Beaches What is your favorite road to travel down? Comment Wall #2 Responses  6A  6A  6A 6A Hyannis Avenue If you could add one thing to Barnstable, what would it be? Comment Wall #3 Responses  Better mass transport  More open green space in Hyannis  More bike trails 90 General Comments Individual Comment Box Responses  Would like expanded rail including NY. Would like more air service.  Priority 1: Wastewater treatment ASAP  Support for IA  Funding and guidance  IA that addresses phosphate and N  Consider other innovative TX 2: Affordable housing—focus on infill development and ADU and off season rental of summer properties 3: Transportation—safer facilities for pedestrian, cycling  Would love to see more housing for young adults 18-35. Many have full-time employment but are living with parents because housing is not available. 55+ apartments are building built maybe 18+ without kids could be an option at new complexes. What is one word to describe your ideal community? Individual Comment Box Responses  Interesting around the Town  Environmental  Environmentally healthy Friendly Unified  Collaborative  Balanced diversity Diversity United 91 What kind of new residential development would you like to see in Barnstable in the future? Individual Responses Mixed uses 7 Apartments 5  Single-family homes 4 Condominiums 4 Live/work spaces 4  Townhomes 3  Two-family homes 2 Housing for older adults 2 Tiny homes 2 None 1 What are the top (3) priorities the Local Comprehensive Plan should focus on improving? Individual Responses Redeveloping vacant and underutilized properties 11 Parks, beaches and open space 7  Housing 6 Downtown Hyannis 5 Schools 4  Improving water quality 4  Natural environment 4 Historic preservation 4 Sidewalks, trails and connectivity 3 Job opportunities 3 Neighborhoods 2 Healthcare and human services 2 Commercial/shopping areas 1 Development and growth potential 1 Encouraging private investment 1 Public safety (police, fire etc.) 1 Roads 1 Community engagement 1 Town government and services 0 Community beautification 0 92 Where do you most often do your shopping? Individual Responses Big box stores in Barnstable 12 Small businesses in Barnstable 19 Small businesses in other Cape Cod towns 8 Businesses off-Cape 4  E-commerce businesses (Amazon, eBay, Etsy, etc.) 19 How does the quality of life in Barnstable compare to ten years ago? Individual Responses Much Better 5 Somewhat Better 14  About the Same 6 Somewhat Worse 5 Much Worse 5 93