HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 2026-005 Order & Rationale
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B. NEW BUSINESS (First Reading) (Refer to Planning
Board)
BARNSTABLE TOWN COUNCIL
ITEM# 2026-005
INTRO: 07/17/2025, 08/21/2025
2026-005 AMENDING THE CODE OF THE TOWN OF BARNSTABLE, PART I
GENERAL ORDINANCES, CHAPTER 240 ZONING, ARTICLE III
DISTRICT REGULATIONS, TO MODIFY BUILDING HEIGHT
REQUIREMENTS IN THE DOWNTOWN MAIN STREET DISTRICT AND
DOWNTOWN VILLAGE DISTRICT
ORDERED: That the Code of the Town of Barnstable, Part I, General Ordinances, Chapter 240 Zoning,
Article III District Regulations, be amended as follows:
SECTION 1
By amending Section 240-24-1.6 Downtown Main Street District (DMS) by deleting in subsection A.1 the
word “four” and inserting the words “three and one half” in its place.
SECTION 2
By further amending Section 240-24.1.6 by deleting in subsection C.6 the word “fourth” and inserting the
words “third and one half” in its place.
SECTION 3
By further amending Section 240-24.1.6 by deleting in Table 3, under the heading “Building Form” the words
“or 4” where they appear after “F - Number of Stories”.
SECTION 4
By further amending said Table 3 by deleting in footnote 1 the word “fourth” and inserting the words “third
and one half” in its place.
SECTION 5
By amending Section 240-24.1.7 Downtown Village District (DV) by deleting in subsection A.1 the word
“four” and inserting the words “three and one half” in its place.
SECTION 6
By further amending Section 240-24.1.7 by deleting in subsection C.4 the word “fourth” and inserting the
words “third and one half” in its place.
SECTION 7
By further amending Section 240-24.1.7 by deleting in Table 4, under the heading “Building Form” the words
“or 4” where they appear after “F – Number of Stories”.
SECTION 8
By further amending said Table 4 by deleting in footnote 1 the word “fourth” and inserting the words “third
and one half” in its place.
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SPONSOR: Craig A. Tamash, Town Council President, Precinct 4
DATE ACTION TAKEN
______ ___________________________
______ ___________________________
___Read Item
___Motion to Open Public Hearing
___Rationale
___Public Hearing
___Close Public Hearing
___Council Discussion
___Vote
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BARNSTABLE TOWN COUNCIL
ITEM# 2026-005
INTRO: 07/17/2025, 08/21/2025
SUMMARY
TO: Town Council
FROM: Mark S. Ells, Town Manager
THROUGH: James Kupfer, Director, Planning & Development Department
DATE: June 30, 2025
SUBJECT: Amending the Code of the Town of Barnstable, Part I General Ordinances, Chapter
240 Zoning, Article III District Regulations, to modify building height requirements
in the Downtown Main Street District and Downtown Village District
BACKGROUND: These proposed zoning amendments follow discussions by the Town Council
Ad-Hoc Subcommittee regarding necessary updates to Chapter 240 Zoning Ordinance. The
Committee has recommended revising height restrictions in the Downtown Main Street District and
Downtown Village District to better align with surrounding neighborhoods and prevent a "canyon
effect" along Main Street. The amendments eliminate the fourth-story step-back requirement while
lowering the overall maximum building height.
Zoning amendments are processed in accordance with Massachusetts General Law (MGL) Chapter
40A, Section 5. Adoption or change of zoning ordinances may be initiated by the submission to the
Town Council of a proposed zoning ordinance by different parties, including the Town Council
itself.
ANALYSIS: The proposed changes will reduce maximum allowable building heights within the
Downtown Main Street District and Downtown Village District to ensure development remains
compatible with existing structures and neighborhood character. The amendment may encourage a
more varied and nuanced approach to building height regulations based on location and surrounding
properties.
FISCAL IMPACT: There is no significant fiscal impact associated with this item.
TOWN MANAGER RECOMMENDATION: Mark S. Ells, Town Manager, supports this item.
STAFF SUPPORT: James Kupfer, Director, Planning & Development Department