Local Comprehensive Plan Draft Gets Positive Reviews

 HARWICH – The local planning committee has opened up a public comment period on its final draft of the local comprehensive plan. The plan is actually three documents, including the town’s housing production and open space and recreation plans.

The local planning committee has been working on the update to the local comprehensive plan (LCP) since September 2022. The 225-page document is a strategic road map designed to shape a future vision of Harwich and create growth policies to meet the town’s goals. 

The plan contains a lot of information, data and statistics. The community vision is based on quantitative and qualitative information from surveys, workshops, meetings with stakeholders and town boards, said Local Planning Committee Chair Joyce McIntyre.   

The committee held a public hearing on the draft plan on Tuesday, Aug. 5. Committee members made it clear the plan was “a living document” and will be subject to updating as new concepts and ideas are brought forward.

“The committee did a great job with community engagement and working with the regulatory boards over the past couple of years,” said Planning and Community Development Director Christine Flynn. “A lot of positive work went into it.” Planning Board Chair Duncan Berry called the plan a time capsule that can be refreshed and updated going forward.

The community vision defines Harwich in 2050 as a “vibrant and sustainable community that honors its natural beauty, historic charm and village character.” 

 The growth policy was crafted to “meet the needs of future generations for housing and economic sustainability through strategic investments in infrastructure focused on our seven village areas,” according to the plan.

 The commonwealth requires local comprehensive plans to include action steps for natural, community and built systems.

Among the action plan priorities for natural systems are completing pond profiles and expanding monitoring; acquiring open space in public water supply areas; preparing a resource management plan for the Six Pond Special District; developing coastal rebuilding standards; continuing to implement the comprehensive wastewater management plan; protecting habitat; and preparing land management plans.

The action plan priorities for community systems include preparing design guidelines for the town’s villages; providing school support services; developing affordable housing; supporting seasonal workforce housing; pursuing short-term rental bylaws; tax relief for property owners; and renting to income qualified year-round renters.

Action plan priorities for built systems include developing additional historic districts and mixed-use bylaws; implementing streetscape improvements; preparing a master plan and bylaws to redevelop Route 28 properties; preparing flood area design guidelines; designing critical infrastructure and facilities for climate resilience; supporting additional programs at the Cultural Arts Municipal Building, Community Center and Brooks Free Library; making ADA accessibility improvement to town buildings; and supporting childcare and afterschool services.

“There is so much work, it was an ordeal for me to read through it and I’m a librarian,” Brooks Free Library Library Director Ginny Hewitt said of the plan.

  Hewitt had a number of recommendations that she thought would enhance the plan. As a resident of Harwich Center, the only village in town that is a historic district, Hewitt said there should be more of a focus on historic preservation. She also pointed out that  the historic preservation section of the plan does not mention Brooks Academy. She said there is much more focus on the village of Harwich Port than Harwich Center.

Hewitt also called for more of a focus on childcare programs in town.

  McIntyre said the group supports childcare but “we didn’t want to pick a horse in that race. We wanted to be supportive of all.” Hewitt recommended a general statement of support for community members be added to the document.

Her statement reads, “The town will provide resources and services that support community members at various stages of their life that will enhance their well being, learning and quality of life.” Committee members were supportive of adding that statement to the document.

West Harwich resident Sally Urbano agreed that there was a need for more information relating to historic preservation in her village as well. She said the committee met with a citizen group in East Harwich, but not in West Harwich, where residents are seeking to protect Captain’s Row, the historic structures along Route 28. She said Route 28 in West Harwich has the highest traffic volume in town, and it would be important to know what the village can handle in the way of density and growth.

East Harwich resident Ann Howe said there needs to be more of a focus on the use of fertilizers and insect spray. She called for regulations that “geo-fence” such applications. Howe said she lives in the Six Ponds Special District, which has been designated an environmentally sensitive district, yet there is nothing in place to protect that area.

Deborah Ennis said the town needs a stronger action plan to address climate change. Five years ago the town meeting approved a resolution to work on mitigating climate change, she said, urging the  committee to examine Eastham’s efforts to develop a climate change action plan that would qualify for state assistance.

 People who spoke during the hearing took time to praise the effort the committee put into the upgrade of the LCP.

“I commend the incredible amount of work and thought put into the plan,” said Richard Waystack. “I implore that the community buys into this so we can have the best community on the Cape.” 

The local planning committee is seeking public comment on the LCP upgrade through the end of September. Another session with the select board and the board is expected as final details are added to the plan. The plan is slated to go before the annual town meeting in May for approval. Once approved it will be sent to the Cape Cod Commission for consistency approval with the commission’s 2018 regional policy plan.  

 Committee members were adamant that the update, which cost $240,000 for consulting services with Tighe and Bond, will not just sit on the shelf. Committee member Brian Scheld said ultimately it will be up to the town administrator and the select board to track progress down to the action level. Some suggested that the select board appoint an implementation committee to assure the plan’s actions are carried out.