This is a public hearing — and that’s exactly why it matters.

On Wednesday, July 22nd, the Barnstable Zoning Board of Appeals will hear the appeal filed by Hyannis residents and business owners challenging the building permit for the proposed relocation of St. Joseph’s House shelter from 77 Winter Street to 460 West Main Street — roughly 155 yards from West Hyannis Elementary School. Due to overwhelming turnout on June 10th, this hearing has been rescheduled to July 22nd and relocated to a larger venue at Barnstable High School to accommodate more attendees.

The permit was issued through the Dover Amendment, a law limiting how local zoning can restrict religious and educational property uses. Neighbors Advocating for Neighbors in Need (NANN) — a group that gathered over 650 signatures calling for a public meeting — is challenging whether that exemption is being applied correctly.

The proposed relocation does not add a single bed. The shelter would remain a 50-bed overnight facility, with guests still required to leave the building each morning. NANN argues that without substantive operational and policy changes, the problems associated with the current Winter Street location — loitering, encampments, public safety concerns — will simply follow the shelter to West Main Street, putting them in close proximity to four area schools and surrounding neighborhoods and businesses.

Eric Schwaab believes decisions like this one deserve full public scrutiny — especially when regional services are sited using zoning exemptions that bypass the normal public process. Come to the hearing. Ask questions. Make your voice heard.

This is an open public hearing. Anyone can attend.

This is a public hearing, not a campaign event. All are welcome.