Cape Cod Commission

The Cape Cod Commission is a regional planning authority created in 1990 by an Act of the Massachusetts General Court and confirmed by a majority of Barnstable County voters.

In the wake of an unprecedented growth boom in the 1980s, the Cape Cod Commission Act found that the region known as Cape Cod (Barnstable County) possesses unique natural, coastal, historical, cultural and other values which are threatened by uncoordinated or inappropriate uses of the region's land and other resources.

The Commission was established as a regional planning and regulatory agency to prepare and implement a regional land use policy plan for all of Cape Cod, review and regulate Developments of Regional Impact, and recommend designation of certain areas as Districts of Critical Planning Concern.

The Commission is a department of Barnstable County and is funded by the Cape Cod Environmental Protection Fund.

Commission composition

The Commission is made up of 19 members representing each of Barnstable County's 15 towns as well as the County Commissioners, minorities, Native Americans, and a governor's appointee. The members are citizen volunteers who guide a professional staff to plan for Cape Cod's future growth, provide technical assistance to towns, review and vote on major developments and act as the Commission's liaison to their communities.

Commission planners and technical staff have expertise in a wide variety of areas including: landscape architecture, land use planning, economic development, affordable housing, historic preservation, wetland and wildlife resources, water resources, coastal resources, waste management, transportation planning, communications and computer mapping. Staff discusses specific issues or projects with local officials, project proponents, and the public.

The Commission's work is divided into three major areas: planning, technical assistance, and regulation.

Offshore wind farm development controversy

In November 2007, the Commission blocked a plan to build a 130-turbine wind farm in Nantucket Sound. [ [http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2007/10/19/cape_cod_panel_denies_permit_for_wind_farm Boston Globe] ] [ [http://www.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUSN1930289620071019?feedType=RSS&feedName=environmentNews&rpc=22&sp=true Reuters.com] ] The Cape Wind developers responded by asking the state government to overrule the authority of state and local governments. [ [http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2007/11/cape_wind_appea.html Boston Globe] ] [ [http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2007/12/11/changes_may_buoy_cape_wind_project/ Boston Globe] ]

References

External links

* [http://www.capecodcommission.org Official website]
* [http://www.barnstablecounty.org Barnstable County website]
*cite news | last =King | first =Seth S. | title = Panel on Cape's Development Gains Backing | publisher =The New York Times | date =1989-11-13 | url = http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940DE3DB133FF930A25752C1A96E948260 | accessdate = 2007-12-13
*cite news | last = Maroney | first = Edward F. | coauthors = | title = Cape Cod Commission's value to town debated | work = | pages = | language = | publisher = The Barnstable Patriot | date = 2003-07-18 | url = http://www.barnstablepatriot.com/07-18-03-news/ccommish.html | accessdate = 2007-12-13
*cite news | last = Cassidy | first = Patrick | coauthors = | title = Cape commission takes stand after clashing with state | work = | pages = | language = | publisher =Cape Cod Times | date = 2007-11-29 | url = http://www.capecodonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071129/NEWS/711290311 | accessdate = 2007-12-13
*cite news | last =King | first =Seth | title = Cape Cod, Worried About Fresh Water Supplies, Seeks to Rein In Growth | publisher =The New York Times | date =1989-11-13 | url = http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940DE3DB133FF930A25752C1A96E948260 | accessdate = 2007-12-13