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Day: June 5, 2026

Webinars: Barnstable County Shared Regional Housing Services Program

Posted on by alisa@barrettplanningllc.com

Barrett Planning Group, as Program Consultant for Barnstable County’s Shared Regional Housing Services Program (BCSRHS), recently hosted two virtual webinars focused on affordable housing tools. We appreciated the opportunity to share this information and look forward to hosting future webinars as part of the Shared Regional Housing Services program!

Webinar #1: Inclusionary Zoning on Cape Cod

Date: Wednesday May 27, 2026

Speakers: Chloe Schaefer (Chief Planner, Cape Cod Commission), Alexis Lanzillotta (Principal Planner, Barrett Planning Group), and Judi Barrett (President, Barrett Planning Group).

This webinar covers inclusionary zoning and other local regulatory tools that encourage the creation of affordable housing. Topics include:

  • An overview of the Cape Cod Regional Housing Strategy, which includes inclusionary zoning among its zoning best practices for affordable housing;
  • Examples of inclusionary housing strategies from across the region; and
  • Considerations for adopting, implementing, and refining a local inclusionary housing bylaw.

This webinar program briefly explores the relationship between local zoning and the state’s Subsidizing Housing Inventory, which is the primary focus of our second webinar – see Webinar #2 details below! 

👉 Watch the recording here: CLICK HERE

Webinar #2: Understanding Local Action Units (LAU)

Date: Wednesday June 3, 2026

Speakers: Alexis Lanzillotta (Principal Planner, Barrett Planning Group), and Elizabeth Rust (Director of the Concord-based Regional Housing Services Office serving ten communities in the MetroWest region).

This program focuses on Local Action Units (LAU), a component of the state’s Local Initiative Program (LIP) that enables communities to include affordable housing created without a comprehensive permit on the Subsidized Housing Inventory. Topics covered:

  • Connection to SHI: Overview of requirements for inclusion on the Chapter 40B Subsidizing Housing Inventory, the state’s list of low- or moderate-income housing units by community.
  • Project Types: Examples of local actions that can create LAUs, e.g. zoning incentives, special permit conditions, donation of Town-owned land, and local funds. 
  • Creating LAUs: Coordinating local milestones with the LAU application and approval process.
  • Monitoring LAUs: Roles and responsibilities for ongoing compliance.

👉 Watch the recording here: CLICK HERE

Building Climate and Community Resilience in Mattapoisett, Mendon, and Westborough Through MVP 2.0 Planning

Posted on by alisa@barrettplanningllc.com

The Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) 2.0 Planning Grant program, administered by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, helps communities revisit and refine their climate resilience priorities. Building on the foundation established through the original MVP planning process, MVP 2.0 brings together municipal staff, community members, and equity-focused partners to identify how social vulnerabilities, such as food and housing insecurity, contribute to a community’s resilience during climate impacts. Barrett Planning Group is pleased to support three communities that received MVP 2.0 grants during this grant cycle.

Working alongside equity partners, municipal staff, community liaisons, and local stakeholders, our team is supporting the Towns of Mattapoisett, Mendon, and Westborough as they plan for the impacts of climate change and identify practical projects that address local needs and concerns. We are pleased to be collaborating with Food System Consultant Lydia Sisson and look forward to helping these communities strengthen local partnerships, gather community input, and turn ideas into actions that will provide lasting benefits for residents.

Each of these communities faces a unique set of climate challenges. While coastal Mattapoisett navigates sea level rise and storm surge, inland towns like Mendon and Westborough contend with extreme precipitation, heat waves, and winter storms. Despite these geographic differences, their vulnerabilities speak to needs for resilient infrastructure, healthy ecosystems, and safe neighborhoods. Our team is well-versed in the land use and environmental considerations necessary to support these towns and address climate resilience, community safety, and environmental justice. 

Having previously partnered with cities and towns on resilience, housing, and food systems planning, we understand the unique challenges and priorities facing municipalities today. We look forward to collaborating with planning and public works departments and community members within the framework established for MVP 2.0. Our experience and skills will allow us to help Mattapoisett, Mendon, Westborough, and other MVP 2.0 recipients ensure that climate planning and social resilience account for and include everyone in the community.  We look forward to supporting our clients and visiting each community this summer as these projects kick off.