HomeMy WebLinkAboutMiller CommentsJune 8, 2026
Old King's Highway Historic District Commission
RE: Certfficate of Appropriateness Applicatfon – 101 Maushop Avenue
Dear Members of the Commission:
As co-owner of the adjacent property located at 127 Maushop Avenue, I am writfng to express concerns
regarding the Certfficate of Appropriateness (COA) applicatfon for the proposed new constructfon at 101
Maushop Avenue, scheduled for review at the June 10, 2026 meetfng. Unfortunately, the abutters did
not receive notfce of this proposal untfl Friday, June 5, 2026, leaving very limited tfme to review the
applicatfon, assess its potentfal impacts, and seek clarificatfon regarding the proposed design. As
submitted, the applicatfon does not appear to include a plot plan showing proposed landscaping, nor
does it provide important material and color samples that COA applicatfons are required to have.
Without this informatfon, abutters and the Commission may find it difficult to fully evaluate the project's
impact and determine whether it meets the standards required for issuance of a COA. For these
reasons, I respectiully request that this letter be included in the official record and considered as part of
the Commission's review.
While I acknowledge the applicant's right to improve and develop their property, I believe the current
proposal raises significant concerns regarding public safety, and the balance between individual property
rights and preservatfon of the surrounding neighborhood's character.
The proposed structure will have an extensive visual impact on the neighborhood. With a reported
height exceeding 25 feet, the two-story building, with assumed to be dark finishes, would create a
dominant presence. The scale, massing, and overall appearance of the proposed structure differ
drastfcally from the light gray cedar sided, single-story ranch home currently on the site as well as the
neighboring propertfes. Changing the existfng residence’s exterior finish to match the, “Muted navy-
black board-and-batten” constftutes a substantfal alteratfon. Furthermore, because the property sits at
the top of the hill, the structure would be highly visible throughout the neighborhood, partfcularly along
Maushop Avenue beginning at its intersectfon with Kehtean Drive and extending up toward Offshoot.
Given its prominence and the drastfc change, it warrants carefully evaluatfng whether the proposed
design is compatfble with the historic character, scale, and visual context of the neighborhood and
Barnstable Village.
The proposal also raises questfons regarding the intended use of the property. The existfng residence is a
three-bedroom single-family home that includes a garage. The proposal would add three additfonal
garage bays and a carport associated with a proposed Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU), which by
definitfon cannot house more than two adults. The additfon of multfple garage bays and carport, beyond
the existfng garage, appears disproportfonate to the residentfal use of the property and raises concerns
regarding whether the facilitfes may be intended to support business-related actfvitfes. Such actfvitfes
would be inconsistent with the character of a residentfal neighborhood and warrant further clarificatfon.
Most importantly, are the concerns regarding public safety implicatfons associated with the proposed
building locatfon and driveway extension near the intersectfon of Maushop Avenue and Offshoot. Given
the locatfon of the proposed structure and the secondary entrance/exit associated with the extended
driveway, visibility for motorists, pedestrians/bicyclists, and emergency vehicles may be adversely
affected. The proposed driveway appears to run directly adjacent to the historic stone wall that marks
the property boundary and this configuratfon may not provide adequate setbacks. It is important to
determine whether the driveway design could create sight-line obstructfons or other traffic safety
concerns at this intersectfon.
For these reasons, I respectiully request that the Commission carefully consider whether the proposed
design, scale, massing, use, site configuratfon and public safety are consistent with the standards and
objectfves of the Old King's Highway Historic District and the Town of Barnstable.
Thank you for your consideratfon of these comments.
Respectiully submitted,
Tracy L Miller