[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6069566,"mediaKeyId","3068141-c7ca0fbcfd42fa24e839a9bf348aeb92","parentId",3068141,"title","Affordable Housing Trust hires UMass Donahue Center for short‑term rental study; focus group set for March 18","audioSeconds",394,"startMs",3600000,"endMs",3994000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3068141-c7ca0fbcfd42fa24e839a9bf348aeb92&start=3600&end=3994","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3068141-c7ca0fbcfd42fa24e839a9bf348aeb92/thumbnail_3600000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6069566/Massachusetts/Affordable-Housing-Trust-hires-UMass-Donahue-Center-for-shortterm-rental-study-focus-group-set-for-March-18","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6069566-4ca6f695885d54fcd09f86e84b50ed29/orig.mp4?Expires=1770707451&Signature=aGkxvj7GTtOKg0sxHTELSvR4XUazZxBX9BlXJOUbx97IUJ33R-VMhCRWQffmF6Glq3Tx4pCbSzmVZ9xhUjeXzQS3DVDsLLDhaoq5K4oLd7FstE4SPJ4XLomCGZpUDzsTYxac91qJ7gleuCdsKqnfBWhM5zCLDtJ3RYBE-HZxbxYXiZr8TgFpW6AXkQJMvhKEzLETu-4RQ1EMJWG0FY9zVSKPiIR6~xH4N2GPC8TA6BrWU04oceBA1cF5pSwTlhPynFRaYx0CSAosbkgQaa69rOxCgWFmaYYL22l9oKIA2j2N5Y1Lr3hKkgeSYhsa3avvjJzsWy1idF3-2kR2MF9W2A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Yarmouth, Massachusetts","date","2025-03-10T00:00:00Z","article","YARMOUTH, Mass. — The Town of Yarmouth’s Affordable Housing Trust has hired the UMass Amherst Donahue Center to study the town’s short‑term rental market and assess whether policy or incentives could shift units toward year‑round rentals.

Staff said the Trust will host a focus‑group interview on March 18 at 3 p.m. to gather committee input for the study and invited committee members to participate. The Trust is funding the work and staff said paper copies of a related SurveyMonkey questionnaire are available for residents who prefer not to respond online.

Committee members discussed approaches used elsewhere. Staff cited Provincetown’s incentive program that paid property owners to convert seasonal units to year‑round rentals; a referenced figure for Provincetown was about $20,000 per unit in direct payment plus an approximate 25% administrative fee to run the program. Committee members said towns vary in their approaches: some limit short‑term rentals to owner‑occupied primary residences; others impose minimum‑stay rules or registration requirements.

Separately, committee members discussed the HOME consortium and CARES/ARPA/BABA funding status. Staff summarized that the HOME consortium historically provides regional HOME entitlement funds used for affordable housing, and that a recent federal funding tranche remains somewhat constrained because of Build America, Buy America (BABA) and other federal requirements that affect procurement and allowable purchases. Committee members were advised those constraints may delay spending until federal guidance is finalized.

Why it matters

Short‑term rentals can reduce the supply of year‑round housing. The Donahue Center study will inform whether Yarmouth should craft local regulations, incentives or other programs to preserve rental stock for residents and workers.

What’s next

Focus group with UMass Donahue Center: March 18 at 3 p.m. (Affordable Housing Trust meeting). Staff plans to post study materials and a summary of focus‑group findings when available.

(Reporting note: Quoted program details about Provincetown’s incentive are staff‑reported examples; committee did not adopt a local program at this meeting.)","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Town of Yarmouth: Community Housing - 3-10-2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Affordable Housing Trust funded a UMass Amherst Donahue Center study of local short‑term rentals; trustees plan a focus group March 18 and committee members were asked to complete a related SurveyMonkey questionnaire. Committee members also discussed HOME consortium funding and federal procurement constraints.","taxTitle","Town of Yarmouth, Barnstable County, Massachusetts","taxId",68581,"location","Massachusetts","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6069570,"Yarmouth Housing Authority expected to vote on Forest Road RFP; developers likely to see central register posting",135,2960000,3095000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3068141-c7ca0fbcfd42fa24e839a9bf348aeb92&start=2960&end=3095","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3068141-c7ca0fbcfd42fa24e839a9bf348aeb92/thumbnail_2960000.jpg","/articles/6069570/Massachusetts/Yarmouth-Housing-Authority-expected-to-vote-on-Forest-Road-RFP-developers-likely-to-see-central-register-posting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6069570-7c81ca9d3c51174d1a358648dd039dc0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770707451&Signature=W1uflSZ67TfiGWN9098rGTXQn36yI0paMh2wY-6OP4esOdmhfOVbepvdDyH9I1QBKyqq-APgurJUc8gU4bGTz~RWFgvMCnuuuJDRCkA1L1J2a5HERJi35~5QmiwtFgF9cDEZe8EDw7L7YQUIGZ3qbjyXJ21zfhJPL~-qbwkCs0Zgvb2PtyZbPRewwPXNN4fUK6iiFWcOy19RahmdhkgUVYLPNbGUT6K-JrUNeL-uCU-OmuGjDom1e5~2pCNs3Y87JtQkNK8lEv46yY3kyimD29Rhrt4qqBcty5GAy90djdWokaobX-S4y1aHtpQX9RRQVl4eWhShrDo8n72~ML8tHA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","YARMOUTH, Mass. — Members of the Town of Yarmouth Community Housing Committee reported March 10 that the Yarmouth Housing Authority will consider a finalized request for proposals (RFP) for a Forest Road property at its meeting tomorrow.

Committee members said the RFP they reviewed appears well suited to experienced affordable‑housing developers active on Cape Cod. Committee discussion named several local affordable‑housing firms as likely respondents, including Dakota Partners and Preservation of Affordable Housing (POAH), both of which have multiple Cape Cod projects.

Staff indicated the RFP will be posted on the state’s public procurement outlets (the Central Register and COMMBUYS) once the Housing Authority completes its vote. Committee members expect a standard competitive response period; staff estimated about five to six weeks for proposals but said exact deadlines are set in the final RFP and not yet specified at the committee meeting.

Why it matters

The final RFP will determine the scope and timing of redevelopment at the Forest Road site, and the RFP’s financial and programmatic requirements will shape which developers respond and what financing mechanisms (tax credits, HOME/CDBG funding, etc.) will be needed.

What’s next

The Yarmouth Housing Authority is expected to vote on the final RFP at its next scheduled meeting (tomorrow). If approved, the RFP will be published on the central register and COMMBUYS; staff will post a link when available.

(Reporting note: The Housing Authority vote is an imminent external action and was not a committee vote at this meeting.)","Committee members said Yarmouth Housing Authority will vote on a finalized RFP for the Forest Road property at its meeting tomorrow; staff expects the RFP to be listed on the state's central register and to draw affordable‑housing developers.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6069576,"Yarmouth committee hears Barrett Planning findings for MUC site; school parcel, sewer needs and retrofit costs flagged",1855,345000,2200000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3068141-c7ca0fbcfd42fa24e839a9bf348aeb92&start=345&end=2200","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3068141-c7ca0fbcfd42fa24e839a9bf348aeb92/thumbnail_345000.jpg","/articles/6069576/Massachusetts/Yarmouth-committee-hears-Barrett-Planning-findings-for-MUC-site-school-parcel-sewer-needs-and-retrofit-costs-flagged","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6069576-6735a09f4a6f0c9f4d0fb800c23b72b6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770707451&Signature=ZBXjWSY7mg4jvWPsc23RzdbbMz5KlDd4M7TCdjR9-8A~C06vtrYj5dXjrHJlim1kg9zAWnrs3PnHpTo9fc4YPQkUCNpmiTUV6lNxgXOqEP4e4bmjE5zU~BeUlSNXlLEnHG3Tw-eVFNfJhfZhvH2~hkTEsV9vt9pr4G~lJsrxM67NAQzbManwrP75yo1hTZHG6zMBg3VfAyVQpdKZv8wRHPWSh009TZ8fJYE~lyyIh0gJ9d22Yo4ak7SKMeJjC4mxqICNqrP9i2cP6iH7xlyo8Z~2xbBrFVfeXqJLk3oak-9lFcftH3YiWw2LSwoIiSe5pR0fGQwyKOdMqHOqsh8mqQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","YARMOUTH, Mass. — The Town of Yarmouth Community Housing Committee on March 10 reviewed consultant work from Barrett Planning on the MUC site and discussed how housing, school planning and infrastructure needs might fit together as the town moves toward three alternate design proposals.

Karen Green, director of community development, told the committee Barrett Planning weighed public responses and will present options at the next MUC meeting, including “elevated” and “moderate” versions of proposals that mix housing with other uses. She said the consultant heard strong public interest in housing diversity and “senior‑friendly” units and that supportive housing or partnerships with nonprofit providers may be part of a final concept. “They’re definitely gonna say something like, yes. They’re gonna ask you, you definitely want housing here. You guys are gonna have to say yes,” Green said.

The committee heard that one of the three alternatives to be delivered to the Board of Selectmen will reserve approximately 8 to 10 acres for an elementary school. Committee members and staff discussed sequencing: if the school stays in its current building while a replacement is built, that will delay redevelopment of some parcels and affect grant timing for off‑site infrastructure.

Consultants and staff reported the consultant team has concluded that retrofitting the existing classrooms into apartments would be costly. Committee members were told the building’s construction materials and existing utilities make individual unit conversions expensive; in some scenarios demolition and new construction may be less costly than retrofit.

Infrastructure and environmental constraints were a recurring theme. Staff said the site sits near multiple wells and that state well protection zones are being mapped conservatively for planning—staff said they are using a larger, roughly 1,000‑foot buffer in initial planning even though Zone I by statute is typically smaller. That mapping, together with anticipated high occupant counts for some uses, makes sewer extension likely for several development options.

Committee members also raised solar and parking design questions. Bill Scott, assistant town administrator, attended the discussion in a staff role; Robert Rittenauer, town administrator, was invited to provide policy guidance to the consultant team. Staff reported the existing solar contract for town land associated with the project remains in place through 2027.

Barrett Planning will present a charted set of options at the next MUC meeting on March 17 at 2 p.m.; the committee agreed to continue refining a two‑level (elevated/moderate) concept and to coordinate with other town committees so individual proposals account for recreation, economic development and natural resource priorities.

Votes at a glance

• Approve minutes of Jan. 21 meeting as amended — Passed (roll‑call: Greg, Drew, Myra, John, Lee, Josh — all voted yes). Motion recorded and approved.

• Adjourn meeting — Passed (roll‑call: Greg, Drew, Myra, John, Lee, Josh — all voted yes).

Why it matters

The MUC planning process will shape how Yarmouth balances school needs, housing supply and infrastructure investments on a constrained site. Early decisions about whether to reserve land for a new school and how to stage construction affect which grants and off‑site work the town can pursue and the sequence in which development could happen.

What’s next

Barrett Planning will return with more detailed alternatives at the March 17 meeting. Staff said they will post committee feedback and the consultant’s materials to the MUC project page on the town website; staff expected to post committee group inputs by the Wednesday following the March 10 meeting.

(Reporting notes: Discussion occurred during the MUC agenda item; consultant and staff remarks quoted above come from Karen Green, director of community development. No final land‑use decisions were taken at this meeting.)","The Town of Yarmouth Community Housing Committee reviewed consultant feedback on the MUC site, discussed mixed-use housing options, confirmed an 8–10 acre school reservation scenario, and flagged sewer and renovation cost constraints during its March 10 meeting.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Affordable Housing Trust hires UMass Donahue Center for short‑term rental study; focus group set for March 18

Yarmouth Housing Authority expected to vote on Forest Road RFP; developers likely to see central register posting

Yarmouth committee hears Barrett Planning findings for MUC site; school parcel, sewer needs and retrofit costs flagged