HomeMy WebLinkAboutDRAFT Culture Heritage and Design ChapterBarnstable LCP – DRAFT Culture, Heritage & Design
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CULTURE, HERITAGE & DESIGN
CHAPTER
INTRODUCTION
Why Culture, Heritage & Design Matter
Barnstable’s historic villages, scenic landscapes and rich quality of life continue to attract summer
visitors, year-round residents, and the businesses that serve them. The culture of the town revolves
around its seven villages, each of which expresses a unique sense of place. For the most part, the
beauty and visual character of the villages and the surrounding landscape emerged through centuries of
people making a life based on the resources of land and sea. This produced a visual character that is
quintessential Cape Cod, attracting summer visitors and more and more permanent residents.
Agriculture, fishing, and other resource-based industries have declined, and in recent decades both the
landscape and economy of Barnstable were impacted by more suburban models of growth and
development. Yet both land and sea continue to attract residents and visitors, and a growing
community of artists and artisans continues to draw on the land and sea for inspiration. By preserving
the historic structures, landscapes, and village centers that represent the rich heritage of past
generations, the town can preserve what remains of previous cultures. We can design new places to
live, work, shop and play that reflect this legacy, while allowing for residents and business owners to
respond to this setting in new and creative ways. This is the foundation for creating a continually
renewed sense of place that values both history and contemporary arts and culture.
Barnstable’s historic villages embody the cultural heritage of past generations. Village density, building
form, and architectural character embody this heritage. What will the cultural heritage of the future
look like? Design of revitalized commercial districts and residential neighborhoods needs to incorporate
the lessons of historic architecture and development patterns to avoid evolving into “Anywhere, USA.”.
But a strong sense of place is not created just by well-designed buildings and neighborhoods – it
emerges from ongoing life and culture, the residents and businesses and activities taking place within
them. By supporting people and activities that are rooted in the land, water, ecology, and authentic
culture of the Cape, Barnstable can ensure that the cultural heritage of tomorrow is as vibrant as that
left by previous generations.
Please see the Cultural Heritage section (found in Section 5: Community Systems) of the Existing
Conditions Report for more detailed information on culture, heritage and design.
DATA SHEET
[Insert Data Sheet Graphics for Culture, Heritage & Design.]
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ACTIONS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS SINCE 2010
In the years since completion of the 2010 Comprehensive Plan, Barnstable has worked to identify and
preserve historic structures and other heritage resources. The Town is starting to address preservation
of the historic character of larger areas through improved regulation of design. Economic development
efforts include a focus on supporting local culture and the arts as the foundation for sustainable growth.
Some notable achievements are listed below.
Historic Inventory (2020)
The Barnstable Prioritized Survey Project surveyed historic resources for the Barnstable Historical
Commission with an objective of providing insight for assessing the significance of buildings subject to
demolition. As part of the 2010 Historic Preservation Plan preparation, professional consultants
conducted a windshield survey of the nearly 1,500 previously un-surveyed properties to provide a
preliminary analysis on the significance of resources and the threat of new development occurring in
particular areas throughout Barnstable. The effort sought to document resources in villages that had not
been professionally surveyed in several years. The result of the analysis was a prioritized list of 600
properties throughout the Town.
Form B Building inventory forms were prepared for 80 primary buildings and several secondary buildings
and structures. Valuable historic contexts were developed through the Form B narratives focusing on
areas that had seen an increase in redevelopment and where resources were largely unrecorded,
including Blish Point in Barnstable Village, Camp Opechee Road in Centerville, and Osterville/West
Barnstable Road in Osterville.
Demolition Delay
The procedures established for the Barnstable Historical Commission defined by §112-3 were amended
in 2013. In summary, the objective of the amendment included adding an administrative procedure to
streamline the process, bringing the regulatory timeframes into alignment with other land-use
permitting; adding an expiration date, and extending the period of Demolition Delay from six to
eighteen months. The Historic Commission’s intent for lengthening the time of demolition-delay was to
engage owners of historic resources in the process of preserving those buildings and structures.
Downtown Hyannis Unified Design Regulations and Guidelines
The Downtown Hyannis Unified Design Regulations and Guidelines were developed in 2023 for exterior
improvements to Downtown Hyannis including the jurisdictional boundary of Downtown Hyannis
Growth Incentive Zone that were adopted by the Planning Board and the Hyannis Main Street
Waterfront Historic District Commission in collaboration with the Planning Board has also considered
adoption. The unified document provides clear guidance for applicants and property owners with
mandatory regulations and recommended guidelines for site plan and building design including site
amenities and placemaking guidelines as well as landscape and signage design. The Unified Design
Regulations and Guidelines define review applicability and process with an objective to foster and
champion the historic and maritime character of downtown Hyannis with quality, character, and charm.
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Funding for Historic Preservation
From 2006-2024 $13,865,873 in Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds were awarded to 73 historic
preservation projects. Grants from Mass Historic Commissions Preservation Projects Fund were
received in support of work at the Unitarian Church, Olde Colonial Courthouse, US Custom House and
Carriage House, and Barnstable Customs House.
Cultural Districts
The Town of Barnstable has two state designated cultural districts, Hyannis HyArts and Barnstable
Village. In 2012, Hyannis was the first on Cape Cod to be named a state designated cultural district and
the 6th in the state—there are now 52. Barnstable Village followed with state designation in 2014. Well
before the official state designation, the town was underway transforming downtown Hyannis into a
distinct arts destination and integrating arts into the fabric of the community.
Expansion of HyArts Shanty Program
The Town’s waterfront incubator program for Cape Cod artists continues with much success, a
tremendous initiative to support the arts community and provide a vibrant backdrop for residents and
visitors. Starting in May 2005 with 7 shanties and 15 artists, the program has grown to include 12
shanties in 2 locations along the ‘Walkway to the Sea’ in Hyannis and supports over 85 Cape Cod artists
each May through November. Cape Cod artists rotate throughout the season so every week there are
new and returning artists. Over 80,000 visitors pass through each season and annually, and collective
sales for the artists is well over $300,000. Artists can improve business, marketing and selling skills and
move onward and upward to their own retail space or represented in other galleries or wholesale or
online shops.
Hyannis HyArts Campus and Cultural District.
The HyArts Campus developed by the Town at the corner of South and Pearl continues to be a focus of
Arts Barnstable’s work to support arts and culture. It now includes artist live/work space at 46 and 50
Pearl Street and the Guyer Barn. The HyArts Campus is one anchor within the surrounding Cultural
District, which includes the Hyannis Public Library, the Mass Air & Space Museum, the JFK Hyannis
Museum, and the Cape Cod Maritime Museum. These institutions gather around open spaces that
include the Village Green, Aselton Park, Bismore Park and McKeon Park. A network of pedestrian paths
and sidewalks link everything together, including the Walkway to the Sea and the Kennedy Legacy Trail.
ArtsBarnstable sponsors photo, story and gallery walks and other special events designed to attract
visitors and engage locals.
ISSUES & OPPORTUNITIES
Vision Statement
The Comprehensive Plan is guided by a vision statement that presents guiding principles and overall
goals for each element of the plan. Below are the portions of the vision statement that relate to
Culture, Heritage and Design. Some of these goals may not seem to be related to cultural heritage, but
in fact many problematic issues of modern life – unsafe streets, social isolation, lack of housing choices,
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outmoded commercial buildings, environmental degradation, etc. can be resolved by a return to
“historic” approaches to community design.
The town of Barnstable is a vibrant and diverse community where people and nature thrive
together. We are committed to creating a healthy, safe, inclusive, and equitable place for all
residents and to restore, enhance and protect our natural resources for future generations.
To achieve our vision, we will proactively:
• Preserve, enhance and celebrate the unique historic character and sense of place of the
town and each of its seven villages.
• Promote a diverse economy that supports living wages and local businesses and
restores, enhances, and protects the natural environment.
• Commit to providing affordable and attainable year-round housing options.
• Create a healthy, safe community, and care for those in need.
• Incentivize redevelopment and encourage new development toward locations with
adequate infrastructure and away from environmentally sensitive areas town wide.
• Strengthen community connections and communication town-wide and seek
opportunities for collaboration with neighboring towns.
• Recognize and build upon previous efforts by citizens and the Town to make Barnstable
the best that it can be.
• Provide access to high-quality public education, healthcare, human and social services,
and a healthy environment.
• Foster an inclusive community that values diversity.
The unique character of each of Barnstable’s seven villages emerged organically in a time before zoning
bylaws and design consultants. Each village served a particular social and economic function, from
harbor villages focused on fishing and shipping, to agricultural hamlets and summer resort communities.
Rooted in its particular landscape setting, available resources, and economic role, each village
developed a unique visual character and sense of place, defined and enriched by the historic period and
culture that created it.
Today these conditions have changed. For many decades, growth patterns and community character
has been driven by residential subdivisions, automobile-oriented business districts and other functional
demands of the suburban growth model. The creation of “Cape Cod Character” has become the
province of designers and real estate agents. It no longer emerges organically from the Barnstable
landscape. It must be overlaid intentionally on a development that continues to be driven by the
suburban development paradigm.
This process has been blunted by the diligent efforts of the Historic Commission and town and village
historical societies, but suburban growth patterns continue to erode Barnstable’s visual character and
sense of place, especially outside of the historic districts. Recognizing that preservation of historic and
cultural resources are fundamental to continued economic health and quality of life, there is an
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opportunity to change land use policies and development regulations to promote development and
revitalization that enhances and celebrates cultural resources rather than further eroding them.
The issues, opportunities, goals, and strategies outlined below are informed by feedback gathered by
the Town through multiple public meetings, surveys, interviews, and focus groups.
Protect Historic Resources When Land is Acquired for Open Space
There is a need to inventory all cultural and heritage resources when land is to be preserved for open
space to make sure that proper care is taken to preserve these resources. Some examples include the
Charles Marston House, c.1821, which was demolished prior to land acquisition for open space on Mill
Pond in Marstons Mills, as well as the Fuller Farm House, c.1887, demolished prior to construction of
new educational barn on acquired open space on Rt. 149 in Marston’s Mills.
Broadening Representation and Engagement in Historic Preservation.
To be relevant to more people, historic preservation and the stories told through the places Barnstable
preserves must expand to include more perspectives. The preservation movement has excluded people,
intentionally and unintentionally, through policies and practices. There is a need to interest younger
generations in historic preservation efforts, as well as engage traditionally underrepresented
communities found on Cape Cod, including women, Mashpee Wampanoag, African American and Cape
Verdean communities We need to find out what matters to these communities – listen to their
personal experiences and provide a space to tell their stories. For younger generations Preservation
needs to provide experiential opportunities that meet the needs of a demographic that gets most of its
information and interaction over social media. This could include working with the Cape Cod Maritime
Museum, Coast Guard Heritage Museum, The Blacksmith Shop and other institutions to offer hands-on
engagement and trade opportunities for teens, whether it be working through Scouts to offer Historic
Preservation patches, or organizations such as AmeriCorps Cape Cod. Another opportunity is to include
underrepresented voices into the protection of historic resources. For example, the inclusion of
indigenous peoples’ perspectives in the conversation means respecting the many beliefs and concepts
pertaining to land management, cultural practices, and storytelling. This can also mean encouraging and
creating a space for these communities to sit on local boards and commissions. Broadening
representation and engagement comes with the understanding that Preservation Practice has
historically excluded diverse groups from being included into the protection of historic resources.
Keep the Old Historic Preservation Playbook but Expand on It
Preservation practice must adapt to changing demographics in order to be more relevant within today’s
cultural conversation. According to the National Park Service, less than 10% of National Register
nominations include the stories of underrepresented communities. One strategy could include
broadening standard concepts for the National Register Criteria and how local commissions and
consultants manage cultural resources as to recognize unique historic resources that perhaps don’t fit
into the traditional categories. This could include making sure all of the survey, research, evaluation, and
decision-making are inclusive and accessible. Materials should be available in the languages spoken in
the community, and not over wrought with preservation specific language. Another example of
expanding the playbook is working within the needs of the local economy, such as encouraging adaptive
reuse of historic commercial buildings that will attract and engage younger generations through art,
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food, and entertainment. Another opportunity is to promote preservation through “living history”
initiatives that involve young people and newcomers in boat building/restoration, fishing, farming, etc.
Upcoming Challenges for Historic Preservation
The Town should actively identify pressing historic preservation challenges and opportunities; these
include the Rodney Baxter House (c.1850.289 South Street). Unique in Barnstable and rare in the nation,
the house was “inspired by Orson S. Fowler’s contemporary publication ‘The Octagon House, A Home
for All.’ An intact example of this rare style and is enhanced by retention of an unaltered octagonal
carriage house.” (from inventory Form-B). Another challenge/opportunity is the need to look at
documenting and preserving buildings that are becoming “historic” with the passage of time, such as
mid-century modern houses.
Designing Buildings for Future Preservation
As development and redevelopment continue, there is a need to address the design of building “so that
the buildings we build today will be defended by preservationists 75 years from now.” This can start by
incorporating massing, shapes, styles, architectural detail, colors and materials from the historic built
environment when designing new construction. There is an opportunity to build on the 2023
Downtown Hyannis Unified Design Regulations with a similar contextual design approach for other
villages and areas across Barnstable.
Place-Based Planning and Visioning for Key Areas
Barnstable’s historic districts are reasonably effective at preserving structures and limiting change in the
villages, but they are not very helpful in shaping additional growth and change over time to enhance the
character of the community. Hyannis has benefitted from a series of planning and visioning efforts,
leading to changes in regulations and design standards that encourage growth – with controls to
promote good design. This approach can be extended to the other villages – not with an aim to
encourage growth for its own sake, but with the goal of identifying what’s needed in terms of housing,
commercial space, parks, community amenities, etc., and then determining changes in zoning and
design regulations that can allow good things to happen while preventing unintended consequences.
The process of adopting the Unified Design Regulations for Hyannis highlighted the challenge of crafting
design regulations that reflect historic precedents when the precedents themselves are not very unified.
There is no single historic period or style along Main Street to serve as a general model. There is thus a
need to further explore how historic traditions can best be incorporated into new buildings. This could
include development of a more finely-grained plan for the district, with the goal of creating a more
consistent vision for individual blocks and street frontages, with an appropriate level of variation
between them.
Another opportunity for place-based visioning would include Barnstable’s principal commercial and
industrial districts in the area of the Cape Cod Mall and the adjacent Rt.132 and Rt. 28 corridors. These
districts serve an important economic role in the town and the region, but under current zoning they
may have trouble adapting to changes in the retail economy. Many towns are leveraging the demand
for housing, for example to promote redevelopment of older commercial areas into walkable, mixed-use
centers with a mix of housing, retail, office and community uses. While this is already provided for to
Commented [KM1]: Is this true? HB is pretty permissive.
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some extent in the Shopping Center Redevelopment Overlay District, there is an opportunity to enhance
and expand the potential benefits of that district. This could include expanding the district and adopting
more detailed design standards that reflect a clear vision for how the area could be redeveloped in a
way that better reflects the historic and cultural character of the community.
Historic Preservation in the Context of Climate Change and Sea Level Rise
Historic coastal communities across the country are dealing with the challenges of sea level rise,
extreme storms and other impacts of climate change. In Barnstable, the town adopted District of
Critical Planning Concern Regulations in 2009 that include elements designed to mitigate damage from
flooding and sea level rise within the Craigville Beach District. There is an opportunity to review the
results of this effort and explore potential updates. The Cape Cod Commission has developed Flood
Area Design Guidelines that provide a useful starting point for adapting to flooding in historic areas. This
includes retrofitting structures in place, relocation/retreat, and building elevation. With care, each of
these strategies can be implemented in such a way to reduce the impact of change on historic buildings
and neighborhood character.
Arts & Culture Issues and Opportunities
With the HyArts Cultural District and other investments, the Town has developed physical and
programmatic infrastructure with proven success in supporting and expanding art and culture in
downtown Hyannis. But those buildings and programs have to be maintained. One challenge is the
seasonal nature of the economy, with summer visitors by definition departing with cold weather – and
even though the cohort of year-round residents has grown, many travel in the off season. There is a
need and opportunity to build on past work in the Cultural Districts to further establish the Town as a
year-round visitor destination, and to build a stronger brand as a place where arts and culture thrive.
This will require collaboration between the Town, museums, and other cultural district partners to
cultivate relationships, facilitate conversations, and strengthen the presence of participant organizations
town-wide. Additionally, increased marketing efforts can help to promote the Town’s seven villages and
two cultural districts as a multi-faceted year-round cultural destination.
Further opportunities include encouraging arts-focused development in downtown Hyannis such as
artist residences, and studio, classroom, gallery and performance spaces, and related retail. It also
means working to attract, encourage and promote new and existing cultural entities to develop and
expand programming and special events to generate year-round interest and increase visitation
throughout the town’s seven villages. There is an opportunity to encourage more public/private
partnerships to utilize existing spaces for arts and culture offerings. There is also interest in exploring
whether a year-round performing arts/conference center could attract investors and potential users
interested in a wide range of year-round events.
Additional physical improvements to the fabric of downtown Hyannis would support these initiatives.
This includes improving visibility and the connectivity between parking lots and the Cultural Districts;
improving safety and pedestrian accessibility in public places through better lighting, parking, and
signage; improving restroom facilities; and generally adding amenities and improving aesthetics. There
is also a need to create a clear brand and a signage system for Hyannis Main Street that highlights our
diverse community.
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GOALS & STRATEGIES
Heritage Preservation
Protect key historic and cultural features of Barnstable’s landscape and built environment.
Strategy: Pursue education of and outreach to owners of National or State Register of Historic
Places properties, as well as contractors and realtors, about the benefits and responsibilities of
these designations.
Strategy: Leverage façade improvement and other district level programs to assist owners in
maintaining and adapting historic structures.
Strategy: Provide education and support for property owners, contractors and realtors on
restoration methods, resources, materials and design standards for historic properties.
Strategy: Expand historic inventories and educational materials to include homes, landscape
features and other cultural elements that may have been missed in previous historic
preservation efforts – including those associated with Native American, African American and
Cape Verdean communities.
Strategy: Pursue Certified Local Government (CLG) designation for the Barnstable Historical
Commission, opening up access to additional funding and technical assistance.
Assess and expand existing national, state, and local historic districts and recommend
appropriate additions and expansions.
Strategy: Consider additional Local Historic District, MGL Chapter 40C designations, including:
Pond Village, Marstons Mills Village, Santuit, especially along Route 28, Cotuit Village Center,
Wianno, Osterville Village, Centerville Village Center, Craigville, Hyannis Port, Yarmouth
Campgrounds.
Strategy: Assess additional properties for National Register nomination, including the Burgess
House and the Cape Cod Airfield.
Ensure that all archaeological sites are protected.
Strategy: Continue updating the town wide archaeological inventory and assessment process to
identify important sites.
Strategy: Adopt development review standards to provide for professional evaluation and
preservation of archeological resources before site disturbance and construction.
Obtain additional funding to preserve and restore historic structures, landscapes, and sites.
Strategy: Convene partnership of the Barnstable Historical Commission (BHC), Local Historic
District Committees, village historical societies and civic associations to work together to identify
capital and programmatic requirements and prioritize funding goals.
Strategy: Work collaboratively with the Historic Commission, committees and societies,
Community Preservation Committee, Town staff and elected officials to map out the use of
available local funds and access available state and federal grants.
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Broaden Representation and Engagement in Historic Preservation
Strategy: Reach out to underrepresented populations to participate in town boards, committees
and preservation initiatives, and make it easier for people to participate on their own terms
through hybrid meeting formats and asynchronous collaboration.
Strategy: Involve younger generations, especially teens, in historic preservation through hands-
on education and training, living history initiatives, collaboration with youth organizations, and
engagement through arts, food and entertainment.
Preserve and maintain Barnstable’s scenic resources.
Strategy: Ensure that Barnstable’s vistas and viewsheds, both landward and seaward are
protected and preserved to retain their community character defining and value enhancing
functions.
Strategy: Expand on the 2009 Barnstable Landscape Assessment with specific strategies to
preserve the town’s most significant natural and cultural landscapes.
Design and Community Character
Revitalize commercial districts while celebrating Barnstable’s historic character and
development patterns.
Strategy: Foster redevelopment that creates livable, walkable mixed-use neighborhoods
designed at a human scale and with an understanding of historic architecture and urban form.
Strategy: Pursue a visioning process leading to a master plan, zoning revisions and design
standards customized to the character of each of the seven villages and other commercial
nodes.
Ensure that Barnstable’s roadways provide an attractive setting that enhances all areas of
town – rural, residential, and commercial.
Strategy: Create and implement consistent signage standards, including public wayfinding and
other signage consistent with Barnstable’s image and visual branding.
Strategy: Pursue roadside beautification, including landscape maintenance, mitigation of
invasive species, planting and pruning of public shade trees, and design of utilities.
Strategy: Improve streetscape character, especially in key gateways, with design standards for
landscaping, paving, signage, lighting, tree planting, furnishings, and other elements.
Adapt to climate change and sea level rise while protecting historic resources and visual
character.
Strategy: Assess vulnerability of properties and/or neighborhoods in historic, scenic, or
culturally significant areas.
Strategy: Provide education and outreach on historically-appropriate tools and techniques for
adapting to sea level rise, extreme storms and other changing conditions.
Strategy: Establish regulations and design standards for threatened properties, including
retrofitting structures in place, building elevation and relocation/retreat.
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Strategy: Provide education and outreach on how saving historic resources helps mitigate
climate change by eliminating unnecessary construction material waste and avoiding the
creation of carbon emissions from new construction.
Arts & Culture
Build out the physical and programmatic Infrastructure of the Arts & Culture Economy
Strategy: Enhance and expand the cultural district and work with partners to plan for long-term
program funding and facilities maintenance needs.
Strategy: Pursue safety and connectivity improvements, including improving paths to parking
lots, and enhanced lighting, signage and general aesthetics.
Strategy: Facilitate private development of arts and culture related spaces, including artist
residences, studios, classrooms, galleries, related retail, performances space and public
assembly space.
Strategy: Work with local creative, cultural and economic development entities to identify
funding, planning and development resources necessary to pursue shared marketing and
support for the creative economy.
Promote year-round visitation
Strategy: Further develop the brand strategy to enhance the image of Barnstable as a place
where arts & culture are thriving.
Strategy: Collaborate with cultural partners to expand programming, marketing and outreach to
generate year-round interest and increase visitation throughout the town’s seven villages.
Strategy: Collaborate with cultural partners to assess the feasibility of a year-round convention
and performing arts venue.
Enhance Place-Based Arts & Culture
Strategy: Use the arts to educate and inform on complex local and regional issues, including
water quality, climate resiliency, housing, transit, language isolation and food insecurity.
Strategy: Collaborate with cultural partners to support art that reflects local history, landscapes
and culture.
Strategy: Collaborate with local farms and farmers to create art, music and events that
celebrate local food and agricultural landscapes.
Strategy: Collaborate with boating, fishing, environmental and other members of the Blue
Economy community to promote art, music and events that celebrate Barnstable’s connection
to the water.
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MAPS
Mapping is an important tool for visualizing policies. The maps below from the Existing Conditions
Report illustrate where historic and cultural resources exist today.
Map 5.1: Historic and Cultural Resources by Resource Type
Map 5.2: Historic and Cultural Resources by Areas
Map 5.3: National Register of Historic Places