Lakeville officials debate Rocky Woods proposal, weigh OSRD overlay against 40B threat

Lakeville planning board members, select board members, the board of health, the Open Space Committee and members of the public met Jan. 30 to review a conceptual submission for the 300-acre Rocky Woods parcel and to decide what, if any, response to send the developer. The meeting focused on whether the town should seek an OSRD overlay and development agreement that would cap housing at the number allowed under a conventional subdivision or risk the developer pursuing a state Chapter 40B ("40B") application that could yield many more units.

The discussion matters because an OSRD overlay would require a town-meeting vote and could protect roughly 150 acres identified by the Open Space Committee, while a 40B project submitted to the state could result in denser housing under state rules and trigger significant permitting and infrastructure decisions at the municipal and state levels.

Planning board member Michelle McEachern, who opened the discussion, said the town has "not received a response from the developer at this time," describing the meeting as a follow-up to feedback compiled after December and January review sessions. Building Commissioner Nate Dowling told the joint group his intent in raising an OSRD option was to give the town alternatives to a state 40B filing, not to predetermine an outcome. Residents and board members repeatedly raised site feasibility issues, particularly ledge,…