Planning Board | March 24, 2025

The meeting focused on a public hearing regarding a zoning amendment for multi-family affordable housing on Falmouth Road.

Watch the meeting. AI supported summary below. Corrections welcome; see contact page.

Key Points

• ANR Plan Approval: The board unanimously approved an ANR plan to divide a 10.5-acre parcel on Flint Street into five lots. This was a straightforward approval with no public hearing required.
• Zoning Amendment Public Hearing: The main focus of the meeting was a public hearing on a Town Council proposal to amend the zoning code to add three properties to the multi-family affordable housing residential district. This amendment aimed to allow by-right affordable housing (in addition to special permits), and to add parking, solar system, and other requirements.
  • Agenda Item: Proposal to amend the Code of the Town of Barnstable, Part I General Ordinances, Chapter 240 Zoning, to add three properties to the Multifamily Affordable Housing residential district to allow for by-right affordable housing in addition to special permit affordable housing, and to add parking requirements, roof mounted solar system requirements, principal permitted uses, and other multifamily affordable housing requirements.

• The discussion included:
  • Expansion of the District: Adding three properties (577, 825, and 767 Falmouth Road) to the existing district.
  • By-Right Affordable Housing: Allowing duplexes as a by-right use, in addition to existing single-family homes.
  • Parking Requirements: Increasing parking requirements to two spaces per unit.
  • Solar Requirements: Mandating roof-mounted solar systems (with exceptions for shading).
  • Affordability Requirements: Setting 100% of units as affordable, with income restrictions at 70% AMI for 10% of units and 70-100% AMI for 90% of units. A 15-year deed restriction was proposed.
  • Several board members and public speakers raised concerns about
• spot zoning
• the 15-year deed restriction
• the high income threshold for affordability
• the density of the proposed development
• A commenter provided clarification on the Commonwealth Builder program, highlighting discrepancies between the proposed ordinance and the program's requirements.
• Potential Modifications: The board discussed potential modifications, including extending the deed restriction, adjusting the income thresholds, reducing density, and potentially removing one of the parcels from consideration.
• Continued Discussion: The board voted to continue the discussion at their next meeting on April 28th, allowing time for further review and potential adjustments.

Highlights
* Detailed discussion of the zoning amendment's implications, including its impact on affordable housing goals, neighborhood character, and traffic.
* Consideration of the Commonwealth Builder program.