Commission Denies Falmouth Marriott Project

BARNSTABLE – The Cape Cod Commission took its official vote yesterday to deny the controversial project to build a Marriott hotel on Main Street in Falmouth.

A majority of the 18-member commission decided not to support the project in a vote two weeks ago, but yesterday’s vote was the official denial.

CCB MEDIA PHOTO Roy Richardson, Barnstable's representative on the Cape Cod Commission, says the commission should let Falmouth deny the Marriott project so the commission will not have to pay for defending a possible appeal.

CCB MEDIA PHOTO
Roy Richardson, Barnstable’s representative on the Cape Cod Commission, says the commission should let Falmouth deny the Marriott project so the commission will not have to pay for defending a possible appeal.

The vote was 11 to 4 in favor of decision that denies the project with the rationale being that the detriments outweigh the benefits. Three commissioners were absent.

Before the vote, Barnstable’s representative on the commission, Royden Richardson, asked about an appeal.

He said the commission should approve the project and give Falmouth boards the opportunity to deny it, so the town of Falmouth would pay for any appeal by the developer.

“If this is appealed, who might pay the bill?” he said. “Falmouth has two opportunities to deny, then they have to bear the expense and this is very much a Falmouth project.”

But Eastham’s representative to the commission, Joy Brookshire, said the commission should not be afraid to stand behind its decisions.

“If we vote this down because of money then we’re setting a precedent for future cases,” she said.

In addition to Richardson, the commissioners who voted against denying the project were Ernest Virgilio of Mashpee, Roger Putnam of Wellfleet and Jack McCormack Jr. of Yarmouth.

CCB MEDIA PHOTO Joy Brookshire of Eastham, at right, says the Cape Cod Commission should stand behind its decisions, as Mary Pat Flynn of Falmouth, the county commissioner on the commission and Elizabeth Taylor, the Brewster representative, listen.

CCB MEDIA PHOTO
Joy Brookshire of Eastham, at right, says the Cape Cod Commission should stand behind its decisions, as Mary Pat Flynn of Falmouth, the county commissioner on the commission and Elizabeth Taylor, the Brewster representative, listen.

Over the past three months, hundreds of Falmouth residents expressed their opposition to the project by speaking out at public hearings and signing a petition.

But the commission subcommittee reviewing the project recommended approval, saying the project met the commission’s guidelines for such developments.

But Mary Pat Flynn, a selectman in Falmouth and the county commissioner representative on the Cape Cod Commission, spoke strongly against it, as did the commission’s Falmouth representative, Charles McCaffrey. Falmouth Selectmen had sent the commission a strongly worded letter asking that they deny the project.

They all said the project did not fit in with the character of Main Street Falmouth because of its large size and its location abutting a residential neighborhood.

Several Falmouth residents attended yesterday’s commission meeting in the Assembly of Delegates Chambers at Barnstable First District Courthouse in Barnstable Village.

Matthew Gould, who lives on Lantern Lane in a property abutting the proposed hotel site, said he was pleased about the denial. But he said the applicant could still appeal.

“I’m feeling pleased the commission has done this and voted down the project. We’re anxiously awaiting whether they’ll try to appeal it or not, so the project isn’t necessarily over yet,” he said.

The applicant, Robert Walker, did not attend the hearing, nor did his attorney, Kevin Eriksen. Eriksen said last week the developer is considering an appeal of the denial, saying the decision is “arbitrary and capricious.” There is a 30-day appeal period once the decision is filed.

By LAURA M. RECKFORD, CapeCod.com NewsCenter

Speak Your Mind

*



CapeCod.com
737 West Main Street
Hyannis, MA 02601
Contact Us | Advertise Terms of Use 
Employment and EEO | Privacy