Barnstable Preservation Plan - Community Opportunities Group, Inc.

In 2009, COG worked with the Town of Barnstable and the Barnstable Historical Commission to update the Town’s Historic Preservation Plan. The plan provides a comprehensive overview and preservation strategy for Barnstable’s varied historic and cultural resources, which play a vital role in the community’s heritage and visual character.

The fourth largest town in Massachusetts, Barnstable includes seven villages, each with unique historic resources and preservation challenges. During the past decade, however, all villages faced a common preservation challenge: an increasing number of requests to demolish historic structures. Though Barnstable had adopted various preservation-related regulatory tools—including demolition delay and local historic district designations—many of its historic resources remained at risk. New construction and alterations to existing structures also threatened to diminish the historic character of the town’s built environment.

Working closely with Barnstable’s Town Planner and the Barnstable Historical Commission, COG formulated a series of preservation advocacy, educational, and regulatory strategies to protect the Town’s historic resources. The planning process included several public forums attended by municipal officials, local and regional preservation organizations, and residents. COG also conducted interviews with community members to gain additional insight into the challenges and opportunities around Barnstable’s historic resources.

The 2010 Barnstable Historic Preservation Plan provides comprehensive guidance for the Historical Commission to promote, regulate, and protect Barnstable’s historic and cultural resources.