HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 2027-008 Setback Requirements DMS & DV Zoning DistrictsPage 38 of 87
B. NEW BUSINESS (First Reading) (Refer to Planning Board)
BARNSTABLE TOWN COUNCIL
ITEM# 2027-008
INTRO: 07/16/2026
2027-008 AMENDING THE CODE OF THE TOWN OF BARNSTABLE, PART I
GENERAL ORDINANCES, CHAPTER 240 ZONING, ARTICLE III DISTRICT
REGULATIONS, TO REVISE PRIMARY AND SECONDARY FRONT SETBACK
REQUIREMENTS IN THE DOWNTOWN MAIN STREET AND DOWNTOWN
VILLAGE ZONING DISTRICTS
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 by striking the following from Table 3 under the heading “Setbacks –
Principal Buildings”
A – Primary Front Setback 0 foot minimum 15 feet maximum
B – Secondary Front Setback 0 foot minimum 15 feet maximum
SECTION 2
By amending Section 240-24.1.6 by inserting the following into Table 3 under the heading “Setbacks –
Principal Buildings”
A – Primary Front Setback
i. Buildings not exceeding two stories 5 feet minimum;15 feet maximum
ii. Buildings exceeding two stories 10 feet minimum; 15 feet maximum
B – Secondary Front Setback
i. Buildings not exceeding two stories 5 feet minimum; 15 feet maximum
ii. Buildings exceeding two stories 10 feet minimum; 15 feet maximum
SECTION 3
By amending Section 240-24.1.7 by striking from Table 4 the following under the heading “Setbacks –
Principal Buildings”
A – Primary Front Setback 0 foot minimum 15 feet maximum
B – Secondary Front Setback 0 foot minimum 15 feet maximum
SECTION 4
By amending Section 240-24.1.7 by inserting the following into Table 4 under the heading “Setbacks –
Principal Buildings”
Page 39 of 87
A – Primary Front Setback
i. Buildings not exceeding two stories 5 feet minimum;15 feet maximum
ii. Buildings exceeding two stories 10 feet minimum; 15 feet maximum
B – Secondary Front Setback
i. Buildings not exceeding two stories 5 feet minimum; 15 feet maximum
ii. Buildings exceeding two stories 10 feet minimum; 15 feet maximum
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 40 of 87
BARNSTABLE TOWN COUNCIL
SUMMARY
ITEM# 2027-008
INTRO: 07/16/2026
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 primary and secondary front setback
requirements in the Downtown Main Street and Downtown Village Zoning Districts
BACKGROUND: The proposed zoning amendments were identified by the Town Council Zoning &
Regulatory Subcommittee in response to recent developments in Downtown Hyannis with the intent of
increasing building setbacks in the Downtown Main Street and Downtown Village zoning districts.
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 increase the primary and secondary front setback for buildings
within the Downtown Main Street and Downtown Village zoning districts. The proposed setbacks vary
in relation to the total number of building stories with an increased setback requirement for buildings
with a greater number of stories. Buildings that are less than or equal to two stories are proposed to
provide a front setback of 5 feet minimum and 10 feet maximum. Buildings that are two or more stories
are proposed to provide a front setback of 10 feet minimum and 15 feet maximum. The front setback,
which includes the area between the building facade and the property line, could be improved with one
of the frontage types currently defined in the Downtown Hyannis zoning such as a front garden or
dining patio to improve the design connecting the building to the street.
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