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Photo by Kevin Mullaney
The "Hopper Landscape" in Truro. |
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Photo by Kevin Mullaney
Donald Kline. |
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Kline project ok'd by Cape Cod Commission
Banner Daily Update Mar. 8
By Kevin Mullaney
Banner Correspondent
TRURO—It appears the battle is over. By a near unanimous vote, the Cape Cod Commission cleared the way for Donald and Andrea Kline to build their home on Stephen’s Way without further review from the regional planning agency. Located in what is called the “Hopper Landscape,” the proposed 6,500 square foot house and appurtenances polarized the community, filled public hearings and pitted historic cultural significance against property rights.
In the end, Kline’s original proposal emerged virtually unscathed. The conservation permit he secured from the state’s Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program (NHESP), addressing species and habitat—most notably broom crowberry—was accepted as sufficient. It includes a conservation restriction on 6.5 acres of the 9.4-acre site and an archaeological survey prior to construction. Kline made additional concessions for the commission, such as limiting the height of the new structure to 14 feet 8 inches, retaining the Cobb house and not building any other structures for 20 years. All these restrictions were offered from the beginning.
The commission heard a summary of the project and previous regulatory activity from Sara Korjeff, the commission’s preservation specialist. Korjeff said the subcommittee recommended against the hardship exemption, but then on Feb. 21, the subcommittee voted to recommend a conditional withdrawal to the full commission.
Attorney Richard R.J. Lyman, representing Kline, told the commission that the restrictions offered by the Klines and the NHESP review “renders further review redundant and unnecessary.”
There were several members of the public who spoke against granting the withdrawal. Don Kiernan, assistant director of the Association to Preserve Cape Cod, said his agency did not see the logic in destroying sensitive habitat for a swimming pool. Former Truro Planning Board member Paul Kiernan said moving the house south along the ridge would have zero impact. Joan Holt, representing the Friends of the Hopper Landscape, said she was shocked that broom crowberry took center stage over the Hopper Landscape. Holt read a letter from the current owners of the Hopper cottage, Anton and Lawrence Schiffenhaus, saying they will sell the property if the commission allows the withdrawal.
Assured that the deed and conservation restrictions are legitimate, and after each member of the subcommittee spoke to defend their investigation and its thoroughness, the full commission voted to accept the Kline’s proposal and end the commission’s involvement.
A very relieved Donald Kline said the subcommittee did a marvelous job.
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Mar 6th, 2008