2010 LCP Goals and Strategies Progress Summaries2010 LCP Goals and Strategies Progress Summaries
SECTION 1 – LAND USE
Summary of Section - Significant achievements have been made to the Land Use Goals and Strategies
over the last decade. The Town has developed plans focused on place based improvements through
design and regulation in many of the village centers, preserved historic character of our community
(Barnstable Historical Commission 18 month Demo Delay for buildings over 75 years old and located
outside of OKH and Historic District), further incentivized growth (reauthorization of the Growth
Incentive Zone and the Town adopted the Housing Development Incentive Program) where
infrastructure supports it and protected open space and natural resources (enforcement of the RPOD).
Village zoning efforts include: Barnstable Village in 2010, Marstons Mills in 2010, West Barnstable in
2011, and the proposed downtown Hyannis zoning. More work is still to be done to further the Town's
land use goals including evaluating and improving our working harbor uses, inventory and improve
public vistas, as well as improving architectural design guidelines to preserve the Cape Cod character.
SECTION 2 – NATURAL RESOURCES
Summary of Section - The Town has made great strides at improving the natural resources of Barnstable.
The Town has created and begun implementation of a 30 year Comprehensive Wastewater
Management Plan (CWMP) to improve water quality and protect sensitive water bodies. Additionally,
the Town has updated its Hazard Mitigation Plan, completed a Floodplain Management Report and is
currently developing long-term coastal resiliency plans for Sandy Neck which collectively serve to
inventory existing coastal resources, project future conditions and provide recommendations to protect
our critical habitats. The Community Preservation Committee (CPC) continues ongoing conversations
with Fire/Water districts about wellhead protection and open space acquisition. In Spring 2021 the
Town was selected as one of five communities for the Greening the Gateway Cities grant which will
provide significant funding to increase tree canopy within the neighborhoods directly north of
Downtown Hyannis and along Sea Street. The Town still does need to seek additional ways to prohibit
fertilizers and other chemicals customarily used on residential lawns as well as ways to address
cyanobacteria issues. In additional one item of note that has not been addressed but is a priority today
is to improve existing herring runs and evaluate historical herring runs for restoration.
SECTION 3 – ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Summary of Section - Several goals and strategies have been accomplished in this section. The Business
Barnstable website was created; the Transformative Development Initiative (TDI) program was awarded
for downtown Hyannis. Business retention and expansion work is ongoing through Town economic
development programs including partnerships with the Downtown Hyannis Business Improvement
District (BID), TDI, and Chamber of Commerce. Several efforts have been achieved including but not
limited to the Downtown Hyannis Parking Study, Wayfinding Master Plan, and the proposed Downtown
Hyannis zoning amendments which have furthered the understanding of the true needs to downtown
Hyannis. Additionally recreation has excelled as well. Arts and culture have continued to excel with the
designation of two cultural districts: Hyannis HyArts Cultural District and Barnstable Village Cultural
District and the continued success of the shanty program, artists in residence and programming of public
spaces. Amenities for field upgrades throughout our villages have been achieved including the
pickleball complex in Marstons Mills that opened last year. We are currently working with DPW on the
redesign of the Centerville Playground. Looking to the future, we are seeking CIP funds to redesign the
HYCC grounds to expand recreational opportunities including an updated skate park, outdoor fitness
court and a splash pad. We have implemented an environmentally sustainable land management plan at
our golf courses to reduce the use of fertilizers and pesticides. We are also in the process of making long
overdue improvements to the golf course, including cart path improvements at Hyannis Golf Course.
Although not specifically mentioned in the goals, we have also made improvements to the Barnstable
Adult Community Center. More can be done to improve the business climate of Barnstable including
seeking ways to recruit and retain high paying year round jobs and further support the blue economy.
SECTION 4 – INFRASTRUCTURE AND FACILITIES
Summary of Section - Significant planning and investment has been coordinated over the last 10 years to
improve existing and new infrastructure as well as public facilities. Once again the Town has utilized
both planning and regulatory tools to better the Town. The Highway Business (HB) zoning district was
amended to include requirements for pedestrian accommodations and bike racks; and other rezoning
efforts have been ongoing elsewhere to align uses with infrastructure as well. Several studies and plans
have been development to understand the needs of our infrastructure and develop a strategy to
implement the action items to achieve those needs such as the Comprehensive Wastewater
Management Plan, Complete Streets, Hyannis Parking Study, Great Streets Hyannis, Municipal
Vulnerability Preparedness Plan, Hazard Mitigation Plan and Housing Production Plan. In addition, the
Town continues to seek better utilization of public facilities. Currently the Town is in the process of
utilizing the consolidating offices within the Town Hall complex to more efficiently provide services to
the community by relocating many town offices to one location. The town continues to develop master
plans for vacant and underutilized public properties such as the Cotuit Elementary School, Marstons
Mills School, 200 Main Street, etc. Construction is expected to commence in 2024 for Phase 3 of the
Cape Cod Rail Trail which will extend the share-use path through Yarmouth into Barnstable at Mary
Dunn Road. Preliminary design is commencing for Phase 4 which will extend the trail from Mary Dunn
Road to the Barnstable/Sandwich town line.
SECTION 5 – COMMUNITY HOUSING
Summary of Section - The Town has made strides to improve the housing issues here in Barnstable. The
Town established a Housing Committee who is currently in the process of updating the Housing
Production Plan. The Town established the Affordable Housing Trust to seek ways to improve financial
subsidies for new development, developed a process to support "friendly" 40Bs, and the Town is
actively seeking rezoning to promote infill development in Downtown Hyannis as well as rezoning in
areas of Barnstable that previously didn’t contemplate housing such as Wilkens Lane and the Cape Cod
Mall. The Town continues to develop the needs assessment for Barnstable and shall continue to
evaluate regulations and programs to better support housing to meet the needs of the community.
SECTION 6 – HERITAGE PRESERVATION
Summary of Section – The Historic Preservation Plan was completed in 2010 which includes an overview
of each of the villages, with an action plan defining recommendations for the future. The Plan also
includes inventory of all historic structures within the Hyannis Main Street Waterfront Historic District,
and the Growth Incentive Zone (GIZ). The Demolition Delay ordinance was amended to increase the
duration of an imposed delay from 6 months to 18 months. The Town was officially recognized as a
Complete Streets community with an approved Complete Streets Policy that incorporates mindful
consideration for prioritization of character and scenic roads. The Town still needs to further explore
Massachusetts Historic Commission Certified Local Government (CLG) process designation.
SECTION 7 – HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Summary of Section - Limited progress has been achieved within Human Services. Community
Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding has been continually provided for social services. The Human
Services Committee has restarted but ongoing discussions need to be had to better align the needs of
the community with the services provided and what programs and incentives the Town may be able to
provide.