HomeMy WebLinkAbout5019 228 Route 28 Letter of Opposition 26 Received 06.20.23Fallon, Dolores
Subject: FW: Petition 5019 comments. GoKarts
From: Jan Spearance
Sent: Friday, June 16, 2023 1:10 PM
To: Fallon, Dolores <dfallon@yarmouth.ma.us>
Subject: Petition 5019 comments. GoKarts
Dear Zoning Board of Appeals:
RECEIVED
EJUN2 0 2023
YARMOUTH
BOARD OF APPEALS
We have been owners/residents on Tanglewood Drive, off Standish road perpendicular to Rt. 28, since 1998. We are
retired elementary school teachers. We have been involved in town clean ups, weekly clean up of Colonial Acres Beach
and weekly/monthly clean ups of the Mill Creek park areas. We support the environmental issues that the Town
endorses regarding our water and air quality as well as traffic flow and short/long range planning, and initiatives for
"green" recycling for our town. We value the serenity of our community and moved to Yarmouth in particular because
of its amenities and to enjoy the environment of the Cape.
We are therefore very concerned about the effects of a proposed Go -Kart facility on Rt. 28 for many reasons. This
proposed business whether short or long term, temporary or seasonal is concerning because:
• Rt. 28 is a main road leading from town to town which flows to the direction of the Cape Cod Hospital and the
hub of Hyannis. There are no pull off nor breakdown lanes which makes it difficult for ambulances, fire engines,
and police vehicles to navigate especially during the spring, summer, fall traffic seasons. Additional
traffic turning in and out of an area with no traffic signals would make it extremely difficult for town vehicles, as
well as the increasing residential traffic on Rt. 28.
The backup of traffic on Rt. 28 on a "normal day" can extend from lyannough Road to the beginning of Standish
Road which is across from the cranberry bog adjacent to Capabilities. We see this daily as we have difficulty
exiting from Standish Road on to Rt. 28 in either direction. So the perpendicular roads are affected by Rt. 28
traffic backups. This is often a really difficult situation should an emergency arise and there would be a need to
get to the hospital. In order to exit some days, we must turn in the opposite direction and then back track. One
of the Route 6 exits feeds down Higgins -Crowell Road and that traffic then feeds onto Rt. 28 west or east, again
adding to traffic congestion and backups
The residential area between Mill Pond and Colonial Acres Beach is already affected by the air traffic patterns of
the Cape Cod Airport planes. We also hear the daily fog horns and the departure horns of all ferries in and out
of Hyannis harbor. We are most concerned about additional noise pollution carrying through from Mill Pond
which is open/adjacent to many streets down to the beach. Along with this issue is air quality. Our air quality
is affected by increasing numbers of seasonal vehicles, unforeseen environmental issues such as wildfires from
other locations, pollen, and natural wind patterns along the shore. As residents, we appreciate and enjoy the
local osprey nests and swans in the local ponds and waterways. Protection of our animals is also important to us.
We are all coming out of the effects of the pandemic. Restaurants incurred the expense of creating outdoor
venues and dining options. Continuing to offer these options for diners would be important for the success of
the recovering businesses. Diners do not want to hear the sounds of unnecessary noise or breathing in exhaust
fumes while trying to enjoy the company of one another, family and guests while eating or listening to music in
an outdoor atmosphere.
The new plan for sewer renovations ( Phase 1 and Phase 2 along Rt. 28) will create many challenges for our
community during the transition phase. It is a big unknown with regards to navigating through demolition and
reconstruction. Adding another high traffic business potentially operating long hours seven days a week will
transform one of our only corridors for vehicles into a congested nightmare.
Yarmouth town initiatives are moving in the right direction, giving residents a "green" environment - single use bottles,
recyclable take out, recreational parks for families, eco-friendly trails, a new Septic system plan.
So when reviewing this proposal, please ask yourselves if this business falls into the planning goals for the town of
Yarmouth? Who does this business benefit? Is the impact worth it? Could the business be relocated to a more remote,
less impactful location? There is a Go Kart facility at skull island in South Yarmouth.
Please consider the effects of this decision on our current full time residents, the local service, fire, safety community
and visitors. Yarmouth should be working towards becoming a role model for other cape towns. Thank you for your
consideration of our concerns.
Donald and Janet Spearance
16 Tanglewood Drive
West Yarmouth, MA