The Barnstable Patriot Does Barnstable want engaged citizens? Not on zoning. In November 2020, the Town Council’s new Strategic Plan made “citizen communication and engagement” a priority. At the same time, the ad hoc Zoning Subcommittee was advancing yet another under-the-radar residential zoning change after getting a proposal from commercial interests. Make no mistake: the ad hoc Subcommittee is quietly overhauling our zoning. Let’s start here: “ad hoc” means a temporary subcommittee, not a permanent “standing” one. It is to handle a specific issue by a specific time and then disband. Our ad hoc Zoning Subcommittee is in year five.