• Future of the Cape Cod Commission

  July 11, 2007 -- The Cape Cod Commission has just filed a six-month progress report with the Barnstable County Commissioners addressing recommendations by the 21st Century Task Force aimed at reforming commission practices – in part to better balance economic development with environmental protection.

• 21st Century Task Force releases report on Cape Cod Commission

  December 7, 2006 -- The 21st Century Task Force, which was appointed in May 2006 to study the Cape Cod Commission, has released a report of its findings and recommendations. It also includes a minority report.

• Proposal: Re-engineer the Cape Cod Commission

  AUGUST 11, 2006 -- More than a dozen engineers, attorneys and developers have issued a series of candid observations and recommendations to a countywide task force studying the effectiveness and future of the Cape Cod Commission.

• Cape Cod Commission Review Committee Begins Compiling Recommendations

  JULY 28, 2006 -- The county-appointed task force reviewing the operations of the Cape Cod Commission has begun compiling recommendations about how to improve the commission’s approach to land use regulation on Cape Cod.

• Towns rethinking development

  In Cape Cod’s 15 towns, a revolution is slowly brewing on land use controls. Town leaders and voters are beginning to reorder the patterns of development that had been allowed for more than 30 years.

• Task force on Cape Cod Commission seeks public input

  JULY 20, 2006 -- The 21st Century Task Force on the Cape Cod Commission will seek public input through three forums in early August.

• Commission considering changes

  May 12, 2006 -- Margo Fenn, executive director of the Cape Cod Commission, told the Barnstable Town Council that the commission is considering changes to its land use regulations in three areas to assure they are responsive, flexible and effective.
  

• Commission critics adopt goals

  May 12, 2006 -- A group seeking repeal or reform of the Cape Cod Commission has adopted an official name and a mission statement.

• County commissioners appoint 19-member Cape Cod Commission 21st Century Task Force

  May 10, 2006 -- The Barnstable County Commissioners today appointed 19 individuals to the new Cape Cod Commission 21st Century Task Force.
  

• What the Cape Cod Commission is saying ...

  Cape Business recently sat down with Cape Cod Commission Executive Director Margo Fenn and Chief Planner John Lipman to discuss the relationship between the commission and the business community. A transcript of that discussion is set forth below.

• What the developers are saying ...

  Cape Business recently sat down with three local developers: Chuck Carey, owner of Carey Commercial Real Estate; Douglas Storrs, planner and developer of Mashpee Commons; and Don Megathlin, vice president of Talanian Realty and developer of South Cape Village in Mashpee. The goal was to gain their perspective on the Cape Cod Commission and its role in regulating the Cape’s development. A transcript of the conversation is below.

• What residents are saying ...

  A survey of randomly selected Cape Cod residents overwhelmingly identified traffic, housing costs, water pollution and the availability of jobs as critical problems for the Cape. Two-thirds surveyed believe there is too much development on Cape Cod.
  

• 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.

• Business Roundtable issues Call to Action

  The Cape Cod Business Roundtable has issued a Call to Aciton, encouraging regional and town governement to address the issues facing this region. The document calls for a review of the Cape Cod Commission and the challenges facing Cape Cod, including affodable housing, business growth and environmental protection. To read the full text of the Call to Action, click here.

• Can the Cape Cod Commission become more business friendly?

  For years, developers and local government officials have grown increasingly frustrated – often angry – at the obstacles and costs placed on development by the Cape Cod Commission.
  Now, more than 15 years after the agency was established, disgruntlement is intensifying to open revolt. Three towns – Bourne, Hyannis and Sandwich – are discussing secession. Business owners are organizing to plot strategies to challenge the commission. County political leaders – during an election year – are wondering where to position themselves in this debate of growth versus regulation.

• An insider’s view of the Cape Cod Commission

  “What is wrong with the Cape Cod Commission?” Having represented close to 100 applicants appearing before it, this is a question regularly posed to me. In public and political forums, vocal detractors say the regional land use agency is fundamentally flawed.

• 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.

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