Applications open for Barnstable ad hoc committees on housing, zoning. Deadline: April 19

HYANNIS — Barnstable residents have until April 19 to apply to be on two new ad hoc committees — one on housing and one focused on zoning.

Adding new voices to make decisions about the town's housing, in particular, is important, according to comments made at a March 21 Town Council meeting.

"I have been watching this council and its adversarial approach to housing of all types in our community. I’m here to offer my experience and thoughts, not only on housing on Main Street in Hyannis, but in Barnstable in general," said Tara Vargas Wallace, CEO of Amplify POC Cape Cod. Amplify POC Cape Cod is a nonprofit in Hyannis that promotes racial equity.

Vargas Wallace said she was at the March 21 meeting "together with the NAACP in solidarity as we stand together to move forward with equitable housing in Barnstable."

How can I apply to be on the new committees?

Barnstable residents interested in getting appointed to new ad hoc committees on housing and zoning can submit applications at the town council's webpage, by visiting the town hall at 367 Main St., or by requesting an application by mail. The deadline is April 19.

What is the role for the new committees?

The town council on March 21 voted to create five advisory committees suggested by council President Felicia Penn to examine some of the town's most pressing problems. Two of the committees — one tasked with reviewing strategies for creating housing and one that will review zoning and the town's use of regulatory agreements — include seats for residents at large.

Penn has emphasized that when the ad hoc committees are up and running, they are expected to hold fully public meetings that will be posted according to the state open meeting law, and that will include public comment periods. The committees will all be expected to report regularly to the council up until they are ready to make their final report and recommendations for the council's consideration.

Penn on Monday said she plans to make the appointments, as is the prerogative of the council president, by the end of April.

At that March 21 meeting, council members debated having the town Appointments Committee review candidates and make recommendations to the full council because of recent concerns about transparency, but the suggestion failed on a 6-6 vote, with one councilor absent.

Application date for residents was extended

Penn noted the original deadline to apply was March 28, since the ad hoc committees were first expected to be discussed and voted upon during the council's March 7 meeting.

"But Councilor (Paul) Neary made a motion to postpone the item until the March 21 meeting, so the date was recalculated to April 19 for both Councilors and the public to apply," she said in an email.

Councilors have been asked to submit their own requests also by April 19 for appointments to three councilor-only committees. These panels will review the town council's rules and town code, look at the "purpose, composition, functionality and effectiveness" of the town's more than 40 standing committees, and consider policy related to the town's acquisition, disposal and development of town-owned property.

Affordable housing as a critical issue

Councilors and residents alike have highlighted the lack of affordable housing as a critical problem in Barnstable.

Vargas Wallace emphasized at the March 21 meeting the importance of getting diverse perspectives represented in the discussion.

Also at the meeting, Lynne Rhodes, president of the NAACP Cape Cod, said that on a "whim" she looked into finding an apartment and the one she found was listed at $2,100 per month for a one-bedroom. If the cost of housing is assumed to be about 30% of a person's income, she said, affording that apartment would mean she'd need to earn $99,000 a year.

“If you think that someone who’s going to be serving you coffee at Dunkin’ Donuts, serving you a hamburger at McDonalds can afford that, it’s astronomical," Rhodes said.

When people who work in service jobs cannot afford to live in Barnstable, or cannot afford to patronize businesses themselves "it’s going to affect the economy," Rhodes said.

At the same meeting, resident Caroline Newman said housing is a townwide struggle — not only for newcomers.

"I have three grandchildren that I would love for them to be able to stay on the Cape. Will they be able to? Doesn’t look like it now," she said.

Newman is considering the need to move herself, despite her good salary. "I’m hoping that, with all of us working together, we can come up with some creative solutions," she said.

She also supported the idea of keeping discussions "all out in the public."

Heather McCarron writes about climate change, environment, energy, science and the natural world, in addition to news and features in Barnstable and Brewster. Reach her at hmccarron@capecodonline.com, or follow her on X @HMcCarron_CCT

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This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Residents sought by April 19 to review Barnstable housing strategies