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Dennis board will ask Cape Cod Commission to review multifamily housing overlay and outreach plan
Summary
After a lengthy debate about hiring consultants, the Dennis Select Board directed staff to send planning materials and Paul Foley’s memo to the Cape Cod Commission for technical review and help designing public outreach for a proposed multifamily housing overlay.
The Dennis Select Board voted to ask the Cape Cod Commission to review the town’s draft multifamily housing overlay and advise on public outreach after members debated whether to hire an outside consultant.
Select Board Member (S2) urged keeping work in-house, saying, “Nobody knows this town and its housing better than us,” and argued the board could use the Cape Cod Commission’s examples instead of a paid consultant. Other members and community speakers pushed for a stronger public-participation effort. Select Board Member (S4) said a consultant could act as a facilitator to gather community buy-in and avoid a failed article at town meeting. Bob Semlock of the Affordable Housing Trust recommended starting with the Cape Cod Commission’s data and suggested the commission could pull existing resources together.
Town administrator Liz told the board she could identify funding sources outside of town meeting if the board wanted to retain a consultant, but she recommended first asking the Cape Cod Commission to review the planning-board draft and the zoning-bylaw-study committee’s recommendation. Josh (S10), a resident, and other speakers warned the town should first confirm infrastructure capacity—wastewater, water, and roads—before approving large-scale housing.
After discussion, the board directed staff to send Paul Foley’s memo and the most recent overlay materials to the Cape Cod Commission and ask for an expedited review that includes guidance on public outreach and design standards. Chair (S1) said the commission should return its findings in an expedited manner so the board can take next steps.
The overlay would be a zoning change requiring a two-thirds vote at town meeting; supporters said careful outreach and clear design standards would be central to success. The Select Board did not adopt final overlay language at the meeting; it authorized staff to seek technical assistance from the Cape Cod Commission and return with recommendations and a projected timeline.
