Neighbors Sue Cape Cod's Largest Housing & Golf Course Development

After three years of debate and legal battles, plans for a large apartment complex on a failing Cape Cod golf course have been abandoned by developers. Instead, an anonymous benefactor is purchasing the site for a local private school's expansion. The deal with national developer Quarterra fell through, prompting speculation about the future of the Twin Brooks Golf Course in Hyannis.

Contentious Background

The proposed project sparked a heated debate, dividing housing advocates and environmentalists while highlighting Cape Cod's housing crisis. With soaring home prices and significant labor shortages, the region faces a dilemma between economic growth and environmental preservation. Opposition from neighbors and environmental concerns stalled Quarterra's plans, leading to its eventual withdrawal from the project.

Change in Ownership

The Riverview School, a day and boarding school for students with learning disabilities, is poised to acquire the Twin Brooks site. While details of the sale remain undisclosed, Save Twin Brooks, a local preservation group, welcomes the prospect of the golf course being preserved as open space. The site's picturesque setting and proximity to protected wetlands made it a focal point of environmental concerns.

Differing Perspectives

The debate over the project's environmental impact divided opinion. While some argued that the golf course posed environmental risks due to chemical treatments, others believed that modern development could mitigate these concerns. Despite the Cape Cod Commission's initial approval of the project, legal challenges and community opposition ultimately derailed it.

Future Implications

The abandonment of the project underscores the challenges of housing development in Massachusetts, mirroring similar struggles in other communities across the state. The fate of Twin Brooks Golf Course serves as a microcosm of broader issues surrounding housing, community resistance, and environmental conservation in the region.