Barnstable Prioritizes Crackdown on Commercial Creep
TOWN COUNCIL
The Barnstable Town Council Zoning and Regulatory Committee finalized a “Top Seven” list of policy priorities Thursday, 3/19, headlined by a targeted crackdown on commercial activity in residential neighborhoods.
Why it matters: Officials are responding to residents who claim they are being “driven insane” by industrial noise and equipment storage, rather than prioritizing affordable housing or environmental concerns.
The big picture: Planning Director Jim Kupfer presented a Top Seven list of amendments deemed urgent by committee members to modernize the town’s land-use rules:
Restrict commercial vehicles and commercial activity in neighborhoods (Items 1 & 2)
Review regulations related to signage (Item 3)
Establish short-term rentals ordinance (Item 4)
Explore changes to Downtown Hyannis building heights for Downtown Neighborhood district (Item 5)
Establish accessory structures (pools, etc) ordinance (Item 6)
Review and amend commercial zoning for West Main Street (Item 7)
Driving the news: The most “thorny” debate centered on businesses outgrowing their residential footprints. Neighbors report large trucks, heavy equipment, and early morning noise that disrupt quiet streets.
Village specific ordinance: Staff noted that multiple commercial vehicles on a residential property is likely not disruptive to some villages given two acre zoning, but this can be a problem in denser village areas.
The cost of doing business: Committee members noted a lack of affordable commercial space often forces small businesses to remain in residential zones longer than appropriate, contributing to the current resident complaints.
What’s next: The committee voted unanimously to tackle items 1, 2, 3, and 5 first. Staff must now provide background information, proposed zoning language for item 5, and arrange for input from the Police Department and Building Inspector regarding complaints received.
The bottom line: The established committee priorities so far do not include updates to the Inclusionary Affordable Housing Ordinance to increase the number of affordable units built or the Seasonal Communities designation to support more flexible housing options.