Press & Commentary
November 2005
As I write this, the wind is howling and the tide
is unusually high with another No'easter hitting the
Cape. I drove down to Barnstable Harbor in the middle
of the storm. The old cannery on Freezer Point was
shivering in the wind and most of the Point was under
water. I was struck by the barrenness of the place.
I remember when it was a peninsula of awesome beauty,
complimenting the marine character of the Harbor.
Now it is abandoned, dilapidated and the old historic
building is scarred by scribbled profanity. I pondered
why the place was not being used for a myriad of marine
purposes as it has been historically zoned. And I
wondered why anyone would insist on building (or living
in) houses on this vulnerable, water logged Point.
More and more Barnstable Villagers are wondering
this too. Many are concerned about the future and
preservation of Freezer Point. I receive more calls
and emails about this piece of marine landscape than
any other issue. The developer has "floated"
another 40B (affordable housing) project, but is precluded
from pursuing it at this time. He has also appealed
the Old Kings Highway decision which denied him permission
to demolish the cannery. That case is pending in District
Court. If you are interested in the preservation of
this property, please contact me.
Please mark your calendars and attend the next Barnstable
Civic Association meeting at the BWB Elementary School
on November 17th at 7 pm. Members of the Town Planning
Board including Barnstable Village resident David
Munsell will be present to explain proposed zoning
changes which will affect Cummaquid and Barnstable
Village. These zoning changes will be presented to
the Town Council in the near future so your input
is important. Part of the zoning proposal, if passed,
would result in two acre zoning for Barnstable Village
west of the sewer line, one acre for the area on the
sewer (no change) and one and a half acres for Barnstable
east of the sewer line. This zoning change affects
large parcels of undivided land only. All parceled
lots would be grandfathered.
As the liaison to the Planning Board, I can also
report that the Board has been working hard to craft
an affordable housing overlay district. This zoning
tool would give an incentive to developers to build
small projects with a higher percentage of affordable
units without having to go through the expense and
time that it now takes to get through a 40B. I see
it as a welcome carrot rather than the current stick,
as very often, 40B projects evolve into adversarial
stand offs. The goal is to create more housing for
our workforce (it is estimated that 40% of our population
would be eligible for this housing). It gives developers
a choice and it puts the Town and the villages in
the driver's seat. The process would encourage community
involvement and input. Each project would be considered
on a case by case basis without compromising important
considerations such as density, wastewater, traffic
generation, aesthetics, and community character.
I am privileged to be on the Roads Committee which
is hashing out policies for private and public roads.
Our priorities are 1) funding and maintenance of our
current public roads; 2) defining a policy for "hybrid
roads" which are those roads that are part public
and part private (e.g. Mary Dunn Road); 3) funding
and improving those roads which have been recently
taken but which have not been brought up to a certain
level of condition; and 4) funding and maintenance
of private roads. We will be addressing snow removal,
identification of private roads and betterment policies.
Several constituents have called me about concerns
for their individual roads. Please continue to do
that so I can carry your concerns to the Committee.
I attended an informative presentation of town wide
road projects hosted by the Assistant Town Manager
Paul Neidzweicki and DPW Director Mark Ells. I have
summarized this discussion and will put the summary
on my website www.anncanedy.com. The development of
a vibrant downtown Hyannis is dependent on improved
arteries feeding into and surrounding Hyannis. Work
is under way on Bearses, Ocean Street and Exit 7.
Construction is planned for Route 132 and Route 28.
For those patient Cummaquid Heights constituents,
yes the speed humps are coming! The outcome of a meeting
with residents in August was that most wanted to try
temporary speed humps as a method to curtail speeding.
Unfortunately the bidding process has been more expensive
and more lengthy than anticipated. The Town Engineering
Department has ordered one temporary speed hump but
it is now too late to install it. (snow plows would
pull it up). The bottom line is that the temporary
hump will be installed in early spring-probably on
Oakmont. After one or two months, the Town will seek
feed back from the Heights residents and thereafter
the permanent humps will be installed. I apologize
for the slow bureaucratic process.
I understand Senator O'Leary's office is working
on the installation of railroad crossing gates and
improved signage on Phinneys Lane, Braggs Lane and
Route 149. Probably not all these intersections will
get gates but we are gratified to know that they will
be considered for future improvements. I have also
asked the Town to consider installing a stop sign
at Maraspin and Salt Rock.
The Barnstable Harbor Advisory Committee is forming
a subcommittee to address parking issues at Barnstable
Harbor with Town officials. Contact Kate Plettner,
Barnstable Marine or Paul Venditti, Mattakeese Wharf,
if you have specific ideas or concerns. I have asked
that a stop sing be placed at Millway (southbound)and
Commerce Road.
Future projects include putting forward a Dark Sky
or reduced outdoor lighting ordinance, working towards
dredging Barnstable Harbor, tackling wastewater issues,
growing our accessory housing inventory in Barnstable
Village and continuing to streamline zoning throughout
the Town. As always, I invite your comments and suggestions
and welcome your involvement. And P.S -don't forget
to vote November 8th. There are important tax classification
questions which may impact you. Please check my website
for a description of the issues. Thank you for allowing
me to serve as your councilor.
--
Ann B. Canedy
Barnstable Town Council Precinct 1
Box 23, Cummaquid, MA. 02637
I invite your opinion.
What’s your issue? Send
me your comments. Thank you, and it continues
to be a pleasure to serve the people of Barnstable.
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