Newsroom

So much of our daily lives happen online - connecting with friends and family, paying bills, managing healthcare, completing school or professional work, and staying involved in the community. The Cape Cod Commission is working with several towns in the region to complete digital equity plans to ensure no one feels left behind in this increasingly online world.  Digital equity plans in Bourne, Sandwich, and Orleans are complete, and the Commission is currently collaborating with Barnstable and Falmouth. 

This Regulatory Update provides a status on projects currently under review by the Cape Cod Commission. Visit www.capecodcommission.org/regulatory for a full overview of our Regulatory program and answers to frequently asked questions.   

As stated in the Regional Housing Strategy, Cape Cod needs bold and swift action to address the housing crisis. Completed in May 2024, the strategy provides recommendations for addressing the region's housing supply, affordability, and availability challenges.  

One of the key regional recommendations is establishing a housing land bank and a community land trust. These two potential entities could work together to facilitate swifter acquisition, stewardship, development, and redevelopment of properties to advance attainable and affordable housing.

During the development of the Regional Housing Strategy, stakeholders expressed the need to simplify the permitting process, where possible. In response, the Strategy includes recommendations to make permitting for housing development and redevelopment more predictable and streamlined, especially in locally- and regionally-identified suitable locations. One strategy is the creation of a catalog of model housing plans for small-scale housing types, which could be pre-approved or pre-reviewed at the local level—creating a more predictable process that saves both time and money for developers and reflects the priorities of a community as it relates to housing type and design. 

A new study conducted by the Cape Cod Commission focuses on the entrance and exit ramp intersections of the region's highway system, seeking to identify the highest crash intersections to better prioritize improvements and enhance roadway safety. 

As Cape Cod towns work to address challenges related to affordable housing, climate and coastal resiliency, and economic stability, a Local Comprehensive Plan (LCP) can serve as a blueprint for a sustainable future. LCPs help communities navigate change while protecting the Cape's defining character and resources.  

Earlier this month we welcomed more than four hundred people from Cape Cod, the Commonwealth, and beyond to the Wychmere Beach Club for our 10th annual OneCape. We had an exciting lineup of keynote speakers, breakout sessions, mobile workshops, and plenty of networking and connecting opportunities. With passionate and knowledgeable speakers and attendees, the summit undoubtedly left us all feeling inspired to take on the important work that lies ahead.

Strategies to adapt to the impacts and mitigate the causes of climate change took center stage at OneCape 2024, with speakers highlighting the state's ambitions for growing the climate tech sector and reaching net zero. 

This year, the Cape Cod Commission recognized four Cape Codders for their outstanding contributions to the community. We were pleased to honor Dorothy Savarese, Dan Wolf, Senator Susan Moran, and State Representative Sarah Peake.  

OneCape 2024 highlighted new data-driven initiatives and advancements in infrastructure that will shape the region’s future.