HYANNIS – The town of Barnstable and the Cape Cod Commission have gathered input from the public and are looking at zoning updates in Downtown Hyannis and Route 132.
The organization and the town are in the process of renewing the 10-year Growth Incentive Zone which allows for a more comprehensive but streamlined permitting process.
“We are looking at it. We are seeing if we want to modify anything. We are seeing if we want to keep it the same size or expand it,” said Mark Ells, the town manager in Barstable.
A GIZ is a designation by the Commission that aims to direct development and redevelopment into areas with existing development and adequate infrastructure, and away from sensitive resource areas.
Through designated GIZs, towns may enhance designated Economic Centers by encouraging a concentrated mix of residential and commercial uses within these locations while ensuring that all growth is properly served by adequate infrastructure.
Late last year, the Commission approved an 18-month extension of the GIZ to October 2017.
“I expect by October this year…we will renew the GIZ,” Ells said.
Ells expects zoning regulations to change in other commercial areas.
“We expect to update them and we expect to modify them appropriately as we find things that need to be changed,” Ells said.
The town and the commission gathered input from residents and businesses through surveys and public meetings.
“Some of the benefits of these communications have been our residents, our businesses have come together and identified the things that are important to them,” Ells said.
About CapeCod.com NewsCenter
