Town Council Zoning and Regulatory Committee 10-29-2026

The Barnstable Town Council Zoning and Regulatory Committee met on October 29, 2026, to review a proposed home-occupation ordinance and a zoning-map amendment affecting two parcels at 980 and 990 West Main Street in Centerville. The committee approved forwarding the home-occupation ordinance to the Town Council for a first reading and then to the Planning Board; the vote was four in favor and one abstention. The draft adds a home-occupation license renewed every two years and creates a special-permit path for uses with potentially significant residential impacts. Members discussed allowing the Zoning Board of Appeals to consider additional commercial vehicles or trailers based on factors such as the property, business, and vehicles. The committee also discussed how the ordinance would apply to existing uses under state grandfathering rules.

The committee considered, but did not recommend advancing, a zoning change that would extend the Highway Business district to the two West Main Street parcels. The applicant described a conceptual mixed-use development with retail, a restaurant, and workforce housing; members emphasized that the proposal itself was not before them for approval and that rezoning could allow other uses permitted in the district. Concerns included the loss of residentially zoned land, prior community opposition, access and parking, and the neighboring owners’ objection to using Daniel Road. A motion to send the amendment to the Town Council failed, with two votes in favor and three opposed; the applicant was advised that a property-owner petition remains an option. No procurement or contract activity was identified.