The meeting’s most discussion revolved around Sandbar Management, Inc.’s petition concerning the Wicked Waves water park at 518 and 540 Route 28, West Yarmouth. The company sought approval to relocate inflatable rides to the former Salty’s property and replace them with new water rides that conform to height regulations. This proposal aimed to enhance visitor experience by reducing congestion without altering the park’s capacity or intensity of use. In response, the board conducted a review of the proposal, considering various aspects such as traffic, parking, drainage, and safety.

Representatives from Sandbar Management clarified that the reconfiguration would not increase traffic or parking demands, and the operational hours would remain unchanged, with the possibility of extending them during peak summer days still under discussion. Concerns were raised about the proposed closing time for inflatables, which had previously been extended to 10 PM. The new proposal set a closing time of 6 PM for all attractions.

The board’s deliberations included public comments from residents expressing concerns about the potential expansion of the park’s footprint and noise issues, particularly from a buzzer that sounds every 15 minutes. This led to discussions about noise mitigation measures, with suggestions to deflect the sound to minimize disturbance to nearby neighborhoods. The proposal was ultimately approved unanimously, with the board emphasizing the importance of addressing noise and landscaping concerns in future meetings.

Following the water park discussion, the board reviewed petition 5211, presented by Philipe Costa, regarding his property on Swift Road. Costa sought a variance for a 4×8 front porch he constructed without completing the necessary building permit process. Despite this oversight, Costa received strong support from neighbors, with no opposition expressed during the meeting. The board found the request reasonable, noting the financial hardship that removing the porch would impose on Costa. The variance was approved unanimously, and Costa was advised on the next steps, including recording the variance at the registry of deeds.

The board also considered a petition from Laurville Santos for a special permit to add a second floor to a non-conforming structure on Southshore Drive. Concerns were raised about the lack of a foundation plan and the property’s compliance with zoning laws. Questions about the property’s flood zone status and the need to comply with FEMA regulations further complicated the proposal. The board emphasized the importance of providing plans and documentation to ensure compliance with building codes and safety regulations. Ultimately, Santos expressed a desire to withdraw the petition to consult further with engineers, which the board supported unanimously.

The approval of the water park’s reconfiguration underscored a recognition of the need for economic development while ensuring that such changes do not adversely impact residents.