December Regulatory Update

Herring River Restoration Project- Phase 1 (CCC File No. 08009) 

Town of Wellfleet 

The purpose of the project is to restore habitat and re-establish tidal flow to certain areas within the approximately 1,100 acre Herring River estuary and floodplain system.  The project received its final Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) certificate on July 15, 2016.  To date no Development of Regional Impact (DRI) application has been filed with the Commission. The DRI public hearing period on the project was opened procedurally on August 29, 2016; the period has since been extended four times and the current extension runs through April 2020. At its meeting on March 7, 2019, the Committee on Planning and Regulation (CPR) issued a written scope for DRI review of the project, with the project specifically styled as “Phase 1.”   A DRI application is expected to be filed in calendar year 2019. 

AMP Energy Solar Project (CCC File No. 19034) 

180 Cotuit Road, Sandwich  

The Commission received a mandatory Development of Regional Impact (DRI) referral from the Sandwich Building Commissioner on November 25, 2019 for a large-scale, ground-mounted solar array on an approximately 18.8 acre vacant parcel. This project was previously withdrawn from DRI review but has now been refiled.  The DRI application is under review by Commission staff. A DRI public hearing has not yet been scheduled. 

Tractor Supply (CCC File No. 19020) 

Bearses & Pitcher’s Ways, Hyannis 

The Commission received a mandatory Development of Regional Impact (DRI referral from the Town of Barnstable Site Plan Review Committee on 8/26/19 for the proposed development of a Tractor Supply retail store on an approximately 2.6-acre undeveloped parcel.  A DRI subcommittee held public hearings for the project on October 23, 2019 and November 4, 2019.  The subcommittee held public meetings on November 21, 2019 and December 9, 2019 to discuss the testimony, presentations, and other information received to date.  The subcommittee had initially continued the November 4, 2019 hearing to December 19, 2019; as the applicant intends to submit revised project plans in mid-December, a Hearing Officer will continue the hearing to the January 23, 2019 meeting of the Cape Cod Commission, anticipating that the full Commission will take up the project at that time.  The subcommittee will hold a meeting on December 19, 2019 to review revised project plans, further discuss testimony, presentations, and other materials received to date, and formulate a recommendation to the full Commission. 

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution- New Quissett Facility (CCC File No. 19022) 

360 Woods Hole Road, Falmouth (Woods Hole) 

The Commission received a mandatory Development of Regional Impact (DRI) referral from Thomas Bott, Town Planner, on behalf of the Town of Falmouth Planning Department on August 30, 2019 for additional development at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution’s Quissett Campus. The proposed development includes construction of a new multi-story building, equipment testing/storage area, and associated site improvements on an approximately 4.1-acre previously undeveloped portion of the Quissett Campus. On November 14, 2019, the full Commission granted DRI approval for the project, with conditions.  The DRI decision is currently in the 30-day appeal period. 

Proposed Building Demolition- The Hyannisport Club (CCC File No. 19023) 

2 Irving Avenue, Hyannisport 

The Barnstable Historical Commission (BHC), through the Barnstable Town Manager, submitted a Limited Discretionary Referral to the Commission requesting Development of Regional Impact (DRI) review under the Regional Policy Plan (RPP) issue area of Cultural Heritage in regard to the proposed demolition of a building on the golf course property.  The Commission accepted the Discretionary Referral for DRI review at its meeting on September 19, 2019. The DRI public hearing period on the project was opened procedurally on November 18, 2019. No DRI application has been submitted.  

Cape Cod Hospital- New Tower Addition (CCC File No. 19024) 

Park Street, Hyannis 

The Commission received a mandatory Development of Regional Impact (DRI) referral from the Barnstable Building Commissioner on September 11, 2019 for the project.  The Project proposes a multi-story building addition to the southwest corner of the existing hospital building, with associated site improvements.  The addition will house, among other hospital uses, a new cancer center.  The DRI application is under review by Commission staff. The DRI public hearing period on the project was opened procedurally on November 8, 2019. A subcommittee will hold its first hearing on the project January 9, 2020.