Yarmouth Unveiled

5 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 4, ISSUE 10 YARMOUTH, MASSACHUSET TS to zoning as well. “We’ve put into place village- oriented mixed-use zoning in that corridor to stimulate architectural improvements and smart growth,” Whritenour notes. “We have the financing in place to start construction in the fall, and we anticipate a lot of planned expansion of businesses and access to goods and services for year-round residents and visitors. The future for Yarmouth is very bright.” Coastal Resilience and Digital Connectivity The looming threat of climate change and its implications on coastal towns is not taken lightly in Yarmouth. Whritenour speaks to the town’s forward-thinking measures in addressing storm readiness and the challenges posed by rising sea levels. “In any of the coastal areas, dealing with sea-level rise is a constant challenge. We’re finalizing our municipal vulnerability plan, identifying the impacts of sea-level rise at various future times—2030, 2050, and even planning out to 2070,” he details. “We’re formulating strategies to reinforce some of our facilities in vulnerable areas and relocate others. Our primary objective is to maintain the uninterrupted delivery of all our services as the sea levels continue to rise and the threat of flooding intensifies.” Regarding digital advancements, Yarmouth is progressing in broadening high-speed internet availability. Whritenour mentions that the city has secured a $100,000 grant from the state’s community compact program for IT assistance, which links municipal facilities to a broadband network reaching the business sector. He adds that they are collaborating with Open Cape, a federally funded organization, to enhance high-speed internet coverage along the town’s primary transportation routes. Balancing Affordability and Aesthetics Like many small towns in the United States, Yarmouth grapples with the challenges of modernization while preserving its inherent small-town charm. To do so, the town’s leaders prioritize thoughtful residential development. Whritenour and Greene unpack Yarmouth’s approach to this, underscoring the town’s dedication to maintaining equilibrium in growth. “Most of our new residential housing is taking place in redevelopment areas. Our goal is to preserve open spaces and prevent excessive development,” Whritenour clarifies. The town has recently completed several noteworthy housing initiatives. “We just finished Yarmouth Gardens, which has 40 units of affordable housing. Yarmouth Commons at 881 Route 28 added another 60-plus units,” Greene notes. “These developments were made possible through creative local zoning, regional regulatory relief, and leveraging Community Preservation Act funds.” Whritenour also mentions that they are collaborating with private developers on multi- purpose ventures. He cites an example of a project on the Route 28 corridor that plans for 23 units, combining both market-rate and affordable housing options. He emphasizes that this initiative is in line with their objective to introduce more residential spaces in commercial zones and simultaneously promote commercial growth.