Chatham To Consider “No-Chain” Bylaw

July 16, 2008

The Town of Chatham on Cape Cod, in a story many Greater Newburyport residents can identify with, is considering the development of a “no-chain” development bylaw.

The bylaw would be used to protect the historical integrity of the downtown business area and prevent large national chain stores and restaurants from settling in and changing the ambiance and charm of Chatham’s quaint downtown business district.

An article by Robin Lord in today’s edition of the Cape Cod Times reports that Board of Selectman for the town directed the town planning staff and planning board to come up with a proposed no-chain bylaw in time for voter consideration at the Town of Chatham’s next annual town meeting.

Selectman Deborah Connors told her fellow board members, “I don’t want Chatham to be exactly like everywhere else. I’ve traveled enough around the country to know Chatham is unique.”

The Cape Cod times Article reports that the proposal will be modeled on a bylaw Nantucket adopted for its historic downtown district. The article also points out that Nantucket and Dennis are the only towns in the state to have attorney general-approved, no-chain bylaws.

To read the entire article, visit the following link: