HomeMy WebLinkAboutSR-2026-025 Centerline Communications AT&T 1118 Mary Dunn Road BARN MOD V
Town of Barnstable
Planning and Development Department
James Kupfer, Director
Staff Report
Variance No. 2026-025 – Centerline Communications AT&T
Modification of Variance 1998-130
Section 240-109 F. Antennas Permitted as of right in all Zoning Districts
Request for modification of Variance No. 1998-130 to allow Replacement of 6/9 antennas
and to submit a finding that antennas are now allowed by right
Date: August 13, 2026
To: Zoning Board of Appeals
From: Anna Brigham, Principal Planner
Applicants: Centerline Communications AT&T
Property Location: 1118 Mary Dunn Road, Barnstable, MA,
Assessor's Map/Parcel: 333/016
Zoning: Residence F-1 (RF-1) Zoning District
Filed: July 30, 2026 Hearing: August 26, 2026 Decision Due: November 7, 2026
Copy of Public Notice
Centerline Communications on behalf of AT&T has applied for a Variance pursuant to Section 240-
109 F. Antennas Permitted as of Right in All Zoning Districts. The Applicant plans to modify their
existing antenna installation by replacing six of the nine existing antennas, in the same locations
and using the same existing mounts. Variance No. 1998-103 was granted for the original
installation. They seek to modify the Variance and submit a finding that the proposed use is now
by-right in accordance with Section 240-109 F. The Board could find that the Variance is no longer
needed, or amend the Variance to accommodate nine total antennas. The subject property is
located at 1118 Mary Dunn Road, Barnstable, MA, as shown on Assessor’s Map 333 as Parcel
016. It is located in the Residence F (RF) Zoning District.
Background
The subject property is a 1.25-acre parcel containing a water tower for municipal use. The site is
located at the intersection of Mary Dunn Road and the Mid Cape Highway in Barnstable. The area
surrounding the lot is primarily vacant.
Proposal & Relief Requested
Centerline Communications on behalf of AT&T has applied for a Variance pursuant to Section 240-
109 F. Antennas Permitted as of Right in All Zoning Districts. The Applicant plans to modify their
existing antenna installation by replacing six of the nine existing antennas, in the same locations
and using the same existing mounts. Variance No. 1998-103 was granted for the original
installation. They seek to modify the Variance and submit a finding that the proposed use is now
by-right in accordance with Section 240-109 F. The Board could find that the Variance is no longer
needed, or amend the Variance to accommodate nine total antennas. The subject property is
located at 1118 Mary Dunn Road, Barnstable, MA.
Procedure - NEW
A complete application has been received and as such the Board shall open the hearing by vote of
the Board. The Board shall then assign members and hear the matter before them. If the Board
needs additional information the Board may continue this matter to a date certain. Once the Board
has exhausted their review the Board shall motion to close the public hearing. At this time no new
Town of Barnstable Planning and Development Department Staff Report
Variance 2026-025 – Centerline Communications AT&T
2
information or public comment is to be accepted by the Board. The Board shall now deliberate
render a decision. When rendering a decision, a motion shall be made to (approve, approve with
conditions, or deny) with the following findings and conditions. The Board shall state findings and
may state or reference proposed conditions. Once findings and conditions are completed, a second
is called for. The Chair then asks for any discussion on the motion made prior to calling for a vote.
Lastly a vote is then called for.
Variance Findings - NEW
New analysis is whether “strict enforcement of the ordinance or by-law would result in practical
difficulty.” ZBA must weigh the benefits to the applicant and to the public interest (which includes
housing production) against the detriment to the public health, safety and welfare of the impacted
neighborhood.
ZBA may consider: (i) whether the practical difficulty relates to soil conditions, shape or
topography of the land or structure; (ii) whether strict enforcement would impose a financial
hardship on the appellant or petitioner; (iii) whether the benefit sought by the petitioner can be
achieved by some other method that is feasible for the petition to achieve; and (iv) whether the
practical difficulty was self -created.
The Board could find that the Variance is no longer needed, or amend the Variance to
accommodate nine total antennas.
Suggested Variance Conditions
Should the Board find to grant Variance No. 2026-025, pursuant to Section 240-109 F. Antennas
Permitted as of Right in All Zoning Districts, to modify their existing antenna installation by
replacing six of the nine existing antennas, in the same locations and using the same existing
mounts. Variance No. 1998-103 was granted for the original installation. They seek to modify the
Variance and submit a finding that the proposed use is now by-right in accordance with Section
240-109 F. The Board could find that the Variance is no longer needed, or amend the Variance to
accommodate nine total antennas at 1118 Mary Dunn Road, Barnstable, MA,, it may wish to
consider the following conditions:
1. Variance No. 2026-025 is granted to Centerline Communications on behalf of AT&T pursuant
to Section 240-109 F. Antennas Permitted as of Right in All Zoning Districts to modify their
existing antenna installation by replacing six of the nine existing antennas, in the same
locations and using the same existing mounts. Variance No. 1998-103 was granted for the
original installation. They seek to modify the Variance and submit a finding that the proposed
use is now by-right in accordance with Section 240-109 F. The Board could find that the
Variance is no longer needed, or amend the Variance to accommodate nine total antennas.
The subject property is located at 1118 Mary Dunn Road, Barnstable, MA.
2. The site development shall be constructed in substantial conformance with the plan entitled
“AT&T Site Number MAL01290 Barnstable Mary Dunn Rd “ by Centerline and TEP with last
revision date of July 14, 2026 Drawing Numbers T-1, GN-1, GN-2, GN-3, A-1, A-2, A-3, A-4, G-
1, RF-1, RF-2.
3. The proposed development shall represent full build-out of the lot. Further changes to the lot
shall be prohibited without prior approval from the Board.
4. This decision shall be recorded at the Barnstable County Registry of Deeds and copies of the
recorded decision shall be submitted to the Zoning Board of Appeals Office and the Building
Division prior to issuance of a building permit. The rights authorized by this Variance must be
exercised within two years, unless extended.
Town of Barnstable Planning and Development Department Staff Report
Variance 2026-025 – Centerline Communications AT&T
3
Copies: Applicant (Ryan Burgdorfer)
Attachments: Application
Plans