HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Comment from Kimball in Opposition6/9/2026
Hi Anna/ZBA,
This is John Kimball. My wife and I live in Centerville and own Par-Tee Freeze located on West Main St.
in Hyannis. It was recommended to me to submit in advance of tomorrows meeting any information that I
wanted to make its way thru to the board.
So I am submitting to you this article that was published 10 years ago regarding a new location for the
homeless shelter on Winter street. I thought the board would find interesting that this study that was
initiated and paid for by Housing Assistance Corp was completed with the goal being: "to relocate the
shelter away from the town's tourist and commercial center". While the report did identify potential new
sites no new location was selected thus the shelter remained on winter street. The report also listed out
the minimum criteria for a new site. "The center needs to be located in a non-residential area, not
adjacent to a school, away from Main Street and off so -called “gateway” roads into Hyannis — Route 28,
Route 132, West Main Street, Yarmouth Road, according to requirements determined by the committee."
As you can read the proposed new location at 460 West Main Street does not meet that criteria so its
concerning to me that the town would allow HAC to proceed.
It is well within the power of the board to vote in favor of our appeal and thus hit the pause button.
Ultimately that is what I and others in our community are asking for. Don't just do whats best and most
convenient for HAC (because they have a vacant building). Consider the rest of the commmunity,
including the residences, schools, business and homeless that deserve better. Really what they deserve
is to brush the dust of this study that was done 10 years ago (or better yet conduct a new one) and revisit
the independent recommendations that were made in favor of a relocation that best serves the
community at large.
Thank you for your time,
John and Stacey Kimball
508-737-7035 (Cell)