HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 2027-007 Building Height Definition All Districts & Building Height Standards DN Zoning DistrictPage 35 of 87
B. NEW BUSINESS (First Reading) (Refer to Planning Board)
BARNSTABLE TOWN COUNCIL
ITEM# 2027-007
INTRO: 07/16/2026
2027-007 AMENDING THE CODE OF THE TOWN OF BARNSTABLE, PART I
GENERAL ORDINANCES, CHAPTER 240 ZONING, ARTICLE III DISTRICT
REGULATIONS, TO REVISE THE DEFINITION OF BUILDING HEIGHT FOR
THE DOWNTOWN HYANNIS ZONING DISTRICTS AND CREATE BUILDING
HEIGHT STANDARDS FOR THE DOWNTOWN NEIGHBORHOOD ZONING
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 240-24-1.5.A(4) by striking subsections (a) and (b) and inserting in place thereof
the following subsection (a):
(a) Building height shall be defined as the vertical distance between the elevations of the natural
mean grade and the highest point of the roof. The natural mean grade is calculated by taking the
average of the existing grade at the proposed building footprint corners.
SECTION 2
By amending Section 240-24.1.8 by deleting from subsection C(2)(a) the word “third” and replacing it
with the words “half story”.
SECTION 3
By amending Section 240-24.1.8 by striking the following from Table 5 under the heading “Building
Form”:
E-Number of Stories 3 maximum1
F- Ground Story Height 10 feet minimum
G - Upper Story Height 10 feet minimum
1See 240-24.1.8.C.2(a)
SECTION 4
By further amending Section 240-24.1.8 by inserting into Table 5 a new heading entitled “Building
Height” containing the following rows:
E. Number of Stories 2.5 maximum1
F. Building Height 40’ maximum
1See 240-24.1.8.C.2(a)
Page 36 of 87
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
Page 37 of 87
BARNSTABLE TOWN COUNCIL
ITEM# 2027-007
INTRO: 07/16/2026
SUMMARY
TO: Town Council
FROM: Mark S. Ells, Town Manager
THROUGH: James Kupfer, Director, Planning & Development Department
DATE: July 17, 2026
SUBJECT: Amending the Code of the Town of Barnstable, Part I General Ordinances, Chapter 240
Zoning, Article III district regulations, to revise the definition of building height for the
Downtown Hyannis zoning districts and to create building height standards for the
Downtown Neighborhood zoning district.
BACKGROUND: The proposed zoning amendments were identified during the recent Downtown
Hyannis zoning amendment process at both the Planning Board and Town Council. The Town Council
Zoning & Regulatory Subcommittee reviewed and refined the following amendments. The Committee
has recommended establishing a consistent definition for the measurement by which building height is
calculated across all of the Downtown Hyannis zoning districts. Additionally, the Committee has
recommended revising building height restrictions specifically within the Downtown Neighborhood
zoning district by reducing the maximum building stories from 3 stories to 2 and a half stories and by
establishing a maximum building height of 40 feet.
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 establish a consistent definition for building height applicable to all
of the Downtown Hyannis zoning districts and will reduce the maximum allowable building stories
within the Downtown Neighborhood zoning district to ensure development remains compatible with
existing structures and neighborhood character.
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