Cape Cod Towns Receive State Planning Grant Money

BOSTON – The Commonwealth is awarding just over $1 million dollars to towns across the state to be used for land use planning projects, Barnstable, Martha’s Vineyard and Wareham are among the cities and towns receiving portions of the money.

The Department of Energy and Environmental Affairs is providing the money in order for municipalities to undertake public processes and hire technical expertise to improve their land use practices, diversify housing choices, mitigate and prepare for climate change and conserve and develop land consistent with state goals.

“Through smart and sustainable development, we can ensure Massachusetts remains an exceptional place to live and grow a business,” said Governor Charlie Baker. 

“As an important supplement to our Housing Choice Initiative, these grants help municipalities modify their plans and regulations to build more affordable housing, better protect natural resources, and reduce car travel.”

“This program encourages communities to reduce their land, natural resource, and energy consumption through smart local development planning,” said EEA Secretary Matthew Beaton.

“Helping municipalities improve their land use regulations will allow them to achieve their housing, economic development, climate change resiliency and environmental protection goals.”

Barnstable is getting $50,000 that will help the town rezone the downtown area, The Martha’s Vineyard Commission is getting $15,000 which will go toward site plans for elderly housing that addres Nitrogen, and Wareham will use $32,500 for a development plan for the Littleton Drive site.  

“Wareham’s grant for $32,500 will go a long way toward exploring more housing options at this site for our senior citizens, something our town really needs,”

The Commonwealth is awarding just over $1 million dollars to towns across the state to be used for land use planning projects, Barnstable, Martha’s Vineyard and Wareham are among the cities and towns receiving portions of the money.

The Department of Energy and Environmental Affairs is providing the money in order for municipalities to undertake public processes and hire technical expertise to improve their land use practices, diversify housing choices, mitigate and prepare for climate change and conserve and develop land consistent with state goals.

“Through smart and sustainable development, we can ensure Massachusetts remains an exceptional place to live and grow a business,”said Governor Charlie Baker. 

“As an important supplement to our Housing Choice Initiative, these grants help municipalities modify their plans and regulations to build more affordable housing, better protect natural resources, and reduce car travel.”