What the environmentalists are saying ...
Our conversation with environmentalists was directed more toward local zoning bylaws that the Cape Cod Commission’s regulations. Environmentalists believe that towns need to reconcile their zoning to reflect the goals of long-range plans that call for village center growth and protection of open space.
Maggie Geist, executive director of the Association to Protect Cape Cod: Everything depends on the Cape Cod Commission. What makes Cape Cod a world-class destination is it is a land of sand and water that is breathtakingly beautiful. If covered by big-box stores, we are not Cape Cod.
Before talking about what the Cape Cod Commission has done, we must recognize the failure of local communities to implement local comprehensive plans. What’s missing is the reconciliation of zoning ordinances and long-range plans.
Carole Ridley, director of the Pleasant Bay Association: We need to look at the dynamics between towns and the Cape Cod Commission. There is tension between the commission and towns. The commission is careful not to overstep its boundaries; communities are sensitive to its own home rule. That’s why things move slower than they should.
Ridley: There is a sense of disconnect between economic growth and environmental protection and good land-use decisions. The Business Roundtable has focused on making that connection. Looking at retail areas that do well nationally, they encourage walking, good access to public transportation and mixed uses. We are reinforcing that protection of environment is an intrinsic part of economic growth on Cape Cod.
Jaci Barton: The Cape Cod Commission was created to grapple with growth and development. They do the best job they can do. Unless political will changes at the local level, we will continue to have what we have now.
Geist: I would challenge businesses and developers to think of our connection to geography on the Cape and how all decisions need to be driven by landscapes and seascapes to respect what is so precious to this corner of the world.
Mark Robinson, executive director of the Cape Cod Compact of Conservation Trusts: When the commission was advisory, it was invited into every town. It was very easy. It can’t do that so well, however, when it also wears the regulatory hat. That’s too bad, but it is a reality. The commission is hesitant to send people out to be involved in local planning and zoning, and communities are too hesitant inviting them in. In argues for two agencies (one for planning, one for regulation).
Ridley: The future is leading toward growth centers in downtowns like Hyannis. If communities plan ahead, they will minimize ongoing Cape Cod Commission involvement. These growth incentive tools need to be elaborated and streamlined.
Barton: The Cape Cod Commission has served to help redevelop areas that were strip malls and to revitalize those areas rather than create more of the same.
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