The former Mattacheese Middle School property will transform into a dual-purpose hub for community athletics and high-stakes police training, though neighbors and regional agencies will find the site under tight local control. The Zoning Board of Appeals cleared the way for the Town of Yarmouth to utilize the 400 Higgins Crowell Road facility for indoor recreation and tactical exercises, provided the activities remain strictly limited to municipal departments.

Recreation Director Steve Reynolds emphasized the site's critical role for local families, noting that Without the use of that school, a lot of our fall, winter, and spring programs would end up being eliminated if we didn't have access to the indoor space. Beyond basketball, the facility will serve as a realistic environment for the Yarmouth Police Department. Reynolds explained that the classrooms and gym allow officers to replicate what they would be encountering in a real-life situation during active shooter drills. While the board expressed support for the municipal transition, Alternate Tim Scanlan raised concerns about potential expansion, noting that If additional departments were added, the frequency would go up... I would like just have that clarification. To mitigate noise and traffic, the board mandated that only Yarmouth-based agencies use the site and prohibited the discharge of live ammunition. Motion Made by D. Martin to approve Petition 5190 for municipal recreation and training use at 400 Higgins Crowell Road, conditioned on use restricted to Yarmouth agencies with no live fire and a Fire Department memo. Motion Passed (5-0).

The board took a harder line on residential requests, denying a variance for Linda Baddard at 90 Freeboard Lane to park a 29-foot RV within the front setback. Baddard argued the request was one of necessity, citing property grading that made other spots unsafe. However, Member Barbara Murphy described the vehicle as an eyesore and suggested it belonged in a commercial storage lot. Chair Sean Igoe reminded the petitioner that the board is legally bound to strict hardship criteria involving soil, shape, or topography. Unfortunately, we don't have the word aesthetic in the bylaw, Igoe remarked. Motion Made by T. Scanlan to deny Petition 5189 for failing to demonstrate legal hardship criteria. Motion Passed (5-0).

In South Yarmouth, Dale Roberts sought relief for an 8x10 shed at 40 Pleasant Street, arguing that existing leaching fields restricted his options. Member John Mantoni suggested the location behind the garage was better than the proposed spot just five feet from the road. Facing a likely denial, Roberts chose to withdraw the application to avoid a two-year waiting period for a re-filing. Motion Made by T. Scanlan to allow the petitioner at 40 Pleasant Street to withdraw without prejudice. Motion Passed (5-0).

The board also grappled with new state mandates as they struck down local restrictions on an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) at 9 Greenway. Representative Katherine Wyly noted that the 2024 Affordable Homes Act eliminated the requirements for ADUs to be affordable/family-only and removed owner-occupancy rules. While the board complied to ensure clean property titles, Chair Igoe did not hide his disdain for the legislative shift, labeling the state’s Affordable Homes Act a very bad law in my estimation. Motion Made by D. Martin to eliminate the family-related and affordable restrictions for the accessory dwelling unit at 9 Greenway. Motion Passed (4-0-1).