Cape Cod’s land is only 13% undeveloped. This means that there is a need for open space to protect clean water and habitats. We as a community must take advantage of all redevelopment opportunities to balance the demand for housing that Cape Codders can afford year round and preserve our environment.
The Save Twin Brooks campaign claims that it has an alternative proposal to housing development at Twin Brooks golf course, with the goal of conserving open space. This seems to be a stall tactic that aims to stop the construction of much-needed housing in an appropriate location.
Take a look at Twin Brooks for a better understanding of Cape Cod’s housing crisis.
We all agree that people have the right to voice their opinions and to request reasonable modifications to a project. These requests are addressed on every housing project we take on. These requests are dealt with in accordance with a regulatory process.
Twin Brooks’ private land is being considered for housing. It has been on the market since years. In an effort to stop the development moving forward, opposition townsfolk organized a well-funded, coordinated campaign and made their objections known well in advance of normal public processes.
It is unprofessional and disingenuous to encourage alternative development options for a piece property they do not own. While acknowledging the difficulty of financing, it is still acceptable to bring it up as an option.
Our region is currently facing an environmental crisis as well as a housing crisis. At Housing Assistance CorporationWe recognize the need to conserve land. We must also build more housing to provide year-round Cape Codders with shelter. To protect the environment, we need to be smart about where and how we build it. Reuse land from an underutilized golf course without the need to clear trees. Constructing on sewer. Development near a village centre. We support projects like this.
We understand that the developer proposed to place half of the parcel in permanent conservation. If land conservationists were to be reasonable, they would see this as a triple win for housing and the environment, as well as Main Street businesses.
We don’t mind hearing other viewpoints. We engage in healthy conversations often with individuals and organisations who have different views. These conversations help us to formulate our position. Recently, we worked closely with a regional conservation group.
We will announce an initiative that we have collaborated with the Association to Protect Cape Cod. We will publish maps we created outlining our agreed upon rubric to identify priority areas to develop moderate-density and missing-middle housing, as well priority areas to protect natural resource. It has been a two year project of listening, understanding, agreeing, and finally talking. It was not an easy task but it was worth the effort to achieve a better outcome for Cape Cod.
Are trailers the next big thing?Cape Cod leaders are looking for solutions to the housing crisis ‘right away’
This is an example how two sides can come together. Using facts and specific criteria, this document outlines best practices from both a housing and environmental perspective. Housing is complex. Protecting our open spaces and our environment is just as complicated. Complex situations require careful, process-based, factual conversations.
Healthy, fair debate is not the problem. However, it is not sufficient to spread enough alternative ideas to confuse and prevent the real discussion or regulatory process.
We hope that both the Cape Cod Commission (and the Town of Barnstable) will use context information and site-specific planning to make their decision on this or other housing projects. Cape Codders are asking for your loyalty to the process and use facts.
Go to for more information and to get involved in housing development in the Cape. HousingtoProtectCapeCod.org.
Alisa Magnotta, the CEO, and Peter Muise, the Chair of Housing Assistance Corporation’s Board of Directors, are the two leaders.
