The Planning Board has proposed Article 29, a proactive zoning amendment intended to shield local businesses from future zoning violations. In 2029, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) plans a major streetscape reconstruction of Route 28 from Parker's River to the Barnstable town line, which will include widening the road to accommodate shared-use paths.

The proposed amendment ensures that if the state's road widening reduces a business's front setback, that property will remain in compliance with Yarmouth's zoning bylaws. The planning board was thinking, well, if they widen Route 28 a little bit, that may make some of those local businesses be in danger of not meeting their setbacks, Administrator Robert Whritenour explained. By taking this action now, the town hopes to prevent local businesses from becoming non-conforming due to state-mandated infrastructure changes.