Cape Cod Commission approves YMCA redevelopment project
April 20, 2006, BARNSTABLE, MA -- The Cape Cod Commission voted unanimously (12-0) today to approve the redevelopment proposal of the YMCA Cape Cod facility in West Barnstable.
The proposal calls for more than 18,500 square feet of space to be added to the existing YMCA facility to address programmatic needs, including child-watch and child-care programs, a health and wellness center, and adult locker and shower areas. Reception and parking areas will also be expanded, and new stormwater and wastewater management facilities will be included. The proposed improvements will also bring the facility into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The commission determined that the nonprofit organization's proposal is a "Project of Community Benefit," a status that allows the agency to grant relief from certain regional land-use regulatory requirements that could cause a financial hardship for an applicant. The commission granted relief from several minimum performance standards of the Regional Policy Plan, including requirements to set aside open space, conduct a natural resource inventory, and conduct a formal traffic study for the YMCA Cape Cod proposal.
Before the vote today, YMCA Cape Cod Executive Director Joan Sutherland thanked the commission members and acknowledged the support of the commission staff to ensure a good process for review of the proposal. "We are delighted with the decision of the commission and appreciated the professional manner in which they worked with us during the entire review
process," said Sutherland. "Our renovation and expansion project will result in a healthier, more spacious, and environmentally friendly facility that will benefit the entire Cape community. We look forward to the successful completion of the project."
The Cape Cod Commission received a complete application for the Development of Regional Impact Hardship Exemption/Project of Community Benefit on February 2, 2006, and held a public hearing on the proposal on February 27, 2006, before taking its final vote at today's regularly scheduled commission meeting.
