Refining pre-approved plans 

During development of the Regional Housing Strategy, stakeholders expressed the need to simplify the permitting process, where possible. In response, the Strategy includes recommendations to make permitting for housing development and redevelopment more predictable and streamlined, especially in locally- and regionally-identified suitable locations. One strategy is the creation of a catalog of model housing plans for small-scale housing types, which could be pre-approved or pre-reviewed at the local level—creating a more predictable process that saves both time and money for developers and reflects the priorities of a community as it relates to housing type and design. 

Efforts to establish a collection of plans that Cape Cod towns can adopt are underway. To gather critical input, the Cape Cod Commission recently invited technical staff, local decision-makers, officials, builders, and developers to participate in workshops focused on reviewing and providing feedback on plan prototypes and pathways for adoption. 

At each workshop, the project team laid out the context, presented zoning research, unveiled prototype plans, and explored concepts for infill development on identified lots. They emphasized that addressing the housing crisis requires more than adding accessory dwelling units—it calls for a comprehensive approach to small-scale multi-family housing. 

The workshops also fostered collaboration. Technical staff provided insights on technical specifications and compliance, while local officials shared feedback on potential hurdles and strategies for implementing the program long-term. Builders and developers discussed cost considerations and the practicalities needed to make the plans workable on the ground. 

Design and permitting are often expensive and time-consuming, but pre-approving plans offers a streamlined alternative. By creating plans that local officials have already reviewed and approved, the initiative aims to make it faster and easier to develop housing that is both context-sensitive and capable of addressing Cape Cod’s pressing housing needs. 

Learn more by visiting: capecodcommission.org/our-work/pre-approved-housing-plans