Housing team outlines draft moderate and elevated plans for Mattakees site; MUC process to continue

Lehi Lanzalata of Barrett Planning Group and housing team members presented a draft housing proposal for the former Mattakees school site (Mattakees Utilization Committee, “MUC”) at the April 22 Yarmouth workshop. The housing team produced two scenar ios: a “moderate” scenario and an “elevated” scenario, both intended as inputs to the MUC’s broader reuse planning.

The moderate scenario calls for approximately 62 rental units—primarily multifamily buildings of two to three stories with mixed income targeting 25–50% of units affordable—plus a cluster of detached affordable ownership homes (described as a Habitat‑style neighborhood) placed in a previously disturbed gravel area on the parcel. The team recommended about 1.5 parking spaces per unit, a mix of studios through three‑bedroom units, senior‑friendly and universally accessible units, and pursuit of green‑energy or net‑zero building strategies.

The elevated scenario increases the housing count (the team framed the larger scenario as consistent with meeting or doubling annual targets in Yarmouth’s Housing Production Plan to pursue a one‑ or two‑year certification under state rules). In both scenarios the team recommended concentrating development in already disturbed portions of the 18‑acre site to preserve forested areas and leave flexible space for other uses proposed by other land‑use teams (recreation, education, open space, municipal services).

Barrett Planning’s presentation explained the MUC process: brainstorming meetings across land‑use teams, reconciliation meetings to narrow options and a final proposal with moderate and elevated alternatives. The housing team used the town’s Housing Production Plan to set target unit numbers and composition. Participants discussed potential uses including municipal employee rentals, childcare, convenience retail and community space as compatible non‑residential components.

Select Board and committee members stressed that the MUC process is ongoing and that the housing draft will be refined before transmission to the Mattakees Utilization Committee and then to the Select Board. Several speakers emphasized that the community forums and further technical analysis remain necessary before any final recommendation.

The housing land‑use team’s deliverable will be submitted to MUC as a draft for incorporation into the committee’s master planning work, with additional fine‑tuning and public engagement to follow.