Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Local Planning topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Planning board hears updates on Madakee (drive-in) site, local comprehensive plan and recreation needs
Summary
Planning staff and committee members reported on local comprehensive plan outreach, Madakee/drive‑in site planning (now renamed Parkers River Landing), and interest from business and recreation groups in a year‑round sports/recreation complex and associated workforce housing and infrastructure needs.
Planning Board members received updates Feb. 19 on the local comprehensive plan outreach, the Madakee (formerly drive‑in) site development and related recreation and economic-development ideas, including a recurring proposal for a year‑round sports complex.
Board members and staff reported a well‑attended Jan. 29 community meeting for the local comprehensive plan; consultant BSC Group is compiling a summary for the board’s March 5 meeting. Housing, workforce needs and year‑round economic activity were recurring themes at the outreach sessions.
On the Madakee/drive‑in property, Planning Board member Jim Sabin reported that the Board of Selectmen voted 3–2 to adopt a new name, Parkers River Landing, and encouraged planning board members to visit the project website, which includes drone imagery and construction updates. Sabin noted the town is selling donor planks for fundraising and that site work and infrastructure have advanced.
Economic development and recreation committees described a regional consulting effort and first-round meetings with local businesses and youth sports groups. Paul Nitswicky of the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce (reported in staff remarks) said local businesses see a gap in year‑round indoor recreation facilities. Town staff and committee members said demand includes indoor fields, convention‑style space for tournaments and off‑season activity, and expanded field access for local leagues; they cited recent high usage of the Mattacheese gym and courts.
Board members discussed related constraints and dependencies: sewer and septic limitations in areas south of Route 28; floodplain and aquifer protections; Title 5 septic requirements; and potential grant opportunities (MassWorks) to extend sewer infrastructure if a larger development is proposed. Members also emphasized that housing, while part of the conversation, should not be the sole focus of a large development site and recommended balancing housing, recreation, and commercial uses in concept plans.
The board noted that multiple committees (housing, recreation, economic development/CDC) are coordinating: the Municipal Use Committee (MUC) work will produce three concept proposals, and consultants are being shortlisted. Board members asked staff to continue coordination and to bring the consultant summaries and field‑assessment results back for further review.
