SOUND OFF:
THE TOWN COUNCIL WILL CONSIDER SEVERAL GENERAL AND ZONING
ORDINANCES REGARDING THE REVITALIZATION OF DOWNTOWN HYANNIS.
A PUBLIC HEARING WAS HELD JULY 15TH. A VOTE MAY BE TAKEN BY
THE TOWN COUNCIL ON AUGUST 19TH..
Please fell free to contact me and register your opinion!
Or email
me with a question and I will try to answer it.
The zoning issues surrounding the Revitalization of Downtown
Hyannis are not easy ones with which to grapple -blight, decay
and a declining economic base on one hand which may conflict
with personal property rights on the other. The challenge
is to remedy one without trampling the other.
Here's a summary of the issues:
The intent is to create a master plan for the revitalization
of Downtown Hyannis in an effort to make Hyannis a year round
living community. The plan will streamline regulation so that
smart growth principles can be consistently and predictably
applied. The plan is the product of many years of study and
discussion among groups such as the Business Improvement District
(BID), Hyannis Civic Association, Route 132 Committee, previous
and current Town Councils, the Cape Cod Commission, Association
for the Preservation of Cape Cod, the Town's Planning Board
and Planning Department and independent business owners and
residents in and around Hyannis. I myself have attended and
participated in five smart growth workshops and seminars on
and off Cape since becoming a Town Councilor.
There are proposed "tools" of implementation
which are still on the table include:
Regulatory Agreement (2004-118):
A regulatory agreement as proposed would be a VOLUNTARY contract
between the Town and a landowner that would expedite the permitting
process for a proposal that coincides with the intent of revitalization
but would also trigger CCC review. The Master Plan (a component
of the Regulatory Agreement) would create predictability for
residents, business owners and developers. Everyone will know
the rules up front. Developers will know what they CAN develop
- not what they cannot. The Agreement would also require that
businesses pay their fair share of mitigation for infrastructure
and services.
Once the Planning Board and the applicant have entered into
the final Regulatory Agreement, the Town Council must approve
the agreement. The Regulatory Agreement process would likely
take 12-18 months.
2. Downtown Hyannis Re-zoning (2004-130) : This rezones downtown
to encourage positive and smart growth as a matter of "right"
which will significantly decrease variances and special permits.
There are currently 14 different and sometimes conflicting
zone designations down town -this will reduce the zones to
3-4 zones (if not less). All councilors want to fully study
this portion of the plan before considering the implementation
of other parts of the plan.
3. Route 132 Rezoning (2004-119,2004-120): The intent is to
rezone this congested roadway to reduce further curb cuts
and traffic, to redirect retail and economic development downtown
and industrial uses to the industrial zone. This proposed
rezoning is a direct byproduct of the Route 132 Corridor Study
Committee.
The practical effect of this zoning includes:
· Route 6 interchange North to 6A : No change
· Phinney's Lane North to Rte 6 interchange: Elimination
of the HB zone (Highway Business Zone) and replace it with
the RD-1 (Residential)
· North of Rte 132 from Hadaway Road to Airport Rotary:
Eliminate B (Business) and replace with RF -1 (Residential)
· South of Rte 132 from Phinneys Lane to Airport Rotary:
Restrict high traffic generators with Artery Overlay District.
· Industrial Zone:
Eliminate current Industrial Zone and replace with existing
Industrial Limited Zone language and add provision for limited
accessory retail use (sale of goods manufactured, processed
or assembled on the premises)or accessory residential use
(for employee or owner for the purpose of maintenance or security)
· Limits traffic increases on Rte. 132, promotes economic
activity on Main Street
· Facilitates approval of Exit 6 ½.
The Town Council has postponed public further consideration
of this until receiving a report and recommendation from the
132 Committee, chaired by Councilor Barry.
5. Downtown Policy Cabinet (2004-122): This Resolution grew
out of distrust for the proposed Community Advisory Board.
Even though the Advisory Board had NO INDEPENDENT power of
eminent domain, the fact that a taking could be SUGGESTED
or recommended by such a Board was highly controversial.
The Cabinet, unlike the originally proposed Board, would have
the SOLE responsibility of creating a Master Plan for Hyannis.
The Board would have the responsibility of developing and
recommending a detailed master revitalization plan for Main
Street and surrounding area. The Plan must be certified by
the State and approved by Town Council.
The Cabinet would consist of:
· President of the Hyannis Civic Association;
· Vice President, Hyannis Chamber of Commerce Economic
Development/Government Relations Committee
· Chair, Hyannis Main Street Waterfront Historic District
Commission\Chair, Planning Board
· Member of BID Board of Directors
· Member of the Business Economic Development Committee
(BEDC), and
· Property owner in Downtown Hyannis area.
The designated members will be appointed by the Town Council's
Appointments Committee to serve for one (1) year.
The Cabinet will meet at least once a month to advise
and assist the Town Manager and staff:
· In the preparation of a specific Downtown Master
Plan;
· On issues relative to the Regulatory Agreement
· To coordinate planning activities with the Town Council,
Planning Board, Local Comprehensive Planning Committee, Barnstable
Economic Development Committee, Zoning Board of Appeals, Hyannis
Main Street Waterfront Historic Commission, etc.
Other council members have suggested that there be a Town
Council liaison to the Board.
The next Town Council meeting is August 19th at 7:00 pm at
the Barnstable Town Hall.
Please email me at: acanedy@comcast.com with YOUR opinion.
--
Ann B. Canedy
Barnstable Town Council Precinct 1
Box 23, Cummaquid, MA. 02637
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