Regulatory and Planning Responsibilities

Regulatory and planning work for Barnstable County is guided by the provisions of the Cape Cod Regional Policy Plan (RPP), which is developed by the Cape Cod Commission with public input and then is adopted as county ordinance by the regional government's legislative branch, the Barnstable County Assembly of Delegates. This document "is an expression of the shared aspirations of Cape Codders for the future." The plan represents an ongoing effort to identify the common interests of all of the communities on the Cape, and to ensure that these interests are protected through responsible planning and regulatory review of projects that are likely to have regional impacts. Compilation of Local Comprehensive Plans that acknowledge regional priorities while answering local needs, and careful review of coastal development and redevelopment projects are both important components of the Commission's role.

The Commission works with many other organizations (see Related Links) to coordinate projects and plans and to assist municipalities. An example of that collaboration is the Model Bylaw for Effectively Managing Coastal Floodplain Development, released in December 2009. The bylaw was developed by former Commission Coastal Resources Specialist Stacey Justus and former Woods Hole Sea Grant/Cape Cod Cooperative Extension Coastal Processes Specialist James F. O'Connell, now with the University of Hawaii Sea Grant Program.

The Commission participated in the review of the Massachusetts Ocean Management Plan. The Massachusetts Oceans Act of 2008 requires the state Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) to complete a comprehensive plan to ensure long-term protection and sustainable use of ocean resources by the end of 2009. EEA released a draft of the plan in late June and held public hearings around the state in September. The Cape Cod Commission submitted a comment letter in October 2009. On December 16, 2009, the Barnstable County Commissioners nominated a District of Critical Planning Concern in anticipation of the state's release of the final Ocean Management Plan; the Barnstable County Assembly of Delegates designated the district in April 2010. The Commission and Cape towns are working together to develop implementing regulations for the district. See the Ocean Management Planning DCPC site.