What is the Cape Cod Commission and what does it do?
The Cape Cod Commission is a governmental agency that guides land use planning, economic development, and the regulation of development proposals that have regional impacts on the environment, economy, and infrastructure of Cape Cod, the renowned coastal peninsula in the southeastern portion of the state of Massachusetts. The Commission's work covers all of Barnstable County, which includes all areas of the towns of Barnstable, Bourne, Brewster, Chatham, Dennis, Eastham, Falmouth, Harwich, Mashpee, Orleans, Provincetown, Sandwich, Truro, Wellfleet, and Yarmouth, Massachusetts.
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- Planning and Community Design
- Economy
- GIS and GeoDesign
- Water Resources
- Natural Resources
- Transportation
- Housing
- Coastal and Marine
- Administration and Finance
- Strategic Information Office
- Historic Preservation
- Regulatory
How is the Cape Cod Commission funded?
The Commission’s revenue comes from three sources: a property assessment; federal, state, and private grants; and fees. The property assessment is entirely independent from a town’s tax levy. The Commission’s revenue is deposited into the Cape Cod Environmental Protection Fund (CCEPF), authorized under the Cape Cod Commission Act. Funds in the CCEPF may be used only for the Commission’s approved budget, which is reviewed by the Barnstable County Commissioners and the Barnstable County Assembly of Delegates.
What is a Development of Regional Impact (DRI)?
The state legislation that established the Cape Cod Commission (the Cape Cod Commission Act) authorizes the agency's regulatory powers, which are generally limited to reviews of proposed large-scale developments known as "Developments of Regional Impact" (DRIs). The Commission's regulations and authority supplement local authority throughout the 15 towns of Barnstable County. Towns refer proposed projects to the Cape Cod Commission for DRI review when the proposed projects exceed specific thresholds, and occasionally when towns wish to seek Commission consideration of specific project-related impacts.
Where can I learn about the status of a certain project undergoing DRI review?
The Commission's Regulatory Department staff posts information and notices about hearings and meetings related to active projects on the agency’s Regulatory calendar: www.capecodcommission.org/calendar
If you wish to review the public record for any project, you may contact the Commission and set an appointment to see the files. Contact the office by phone (508-362-3828) or email (frontdesk@capecodcommission.org) to request a file review Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
How do I submit a comment about a DRI?
When public hearings are held for a proposed project undergoing DRI review, anyone wishing to attend the hearing is welcome to do so, and anyone wishing to testify orally at the hearing is also welcome. Written comments may also be submitted at the hearing, or delivered or mailed to the Cape Cod Commission, P.O. Box 226, 3225 Main Street, Barnstable, MA 02630 for receipt on or before the date of the hearing or until the record is closed.
Where can I find Cape Cod Commission regulatory decisions?
As a public convenience, the Cape Cod Commission makes its decisions available for download from the web site: https://capecodcommission.org/our-work/regulatory-decisions/
Additional FAQs answered here. If you have any additional questions, please contact the Commission office by phone (508-362-3828) or email to frontdesk@capecodcommission.org.
