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Lakeville residents ask Select Board to press developer to consider commercial or industrial use for Rocky Woods
Summary
Residents near the Rocky Woods development urged the Select Board to ask the developer to revisit plans for hundreds of houses and consider commercial/industrial uses, citing traffic, school and infrastructure concerns. The board agreed to draft a letter requesting further conversations with the developer.
Residents near the Rocky Woods property pressed the Lakeville Select Board on Tuesday to ask the project's developer to reconsider plans for predominantly residential construction and instead pursue commercial or industrial uses with access from Route 140 and County Street.
The issue arose after a neighborhood meeting attended by about 15 to 20 residents. "Our biggest concerns are the two access points in and out for Freetown Street," resident Larry Costin said, adding that one access would cut into his yard and that nearby roads cannot sustain heavy residential traffic. "A residential development's a bad idea for that spot," he said.
The residents told the board they prefer a mix of business, warehouse and retail uses that would have highway access rather than bringing "300-plus houses," which they said could overload schools and local roads. Several speakers referenced earlier conversations in which the developer, identified in the discussion as Mohammed, had at one point considered commercial zoning and an on‑ramp or other highway access.
Town Administrator Andrew said he had briefly spoken with the developer and that the likely path for the developer would be a comprehensive permit; the developer has spent money surveying and clearing parts of the site. Andrew noted that water service from New Bedford could be possible but would require a new intermunicipal agreement and Freetown's approval.
Board members and residents discussed compromises such as a single controlled access from Freetown Street for emergency use, and the possibility of routing primary access to County Street and Route 140. No formal rezoning or permit action was taken at the meeting.
Select Board member Plonka proposed that the board draft a letter asking the developer whether commercial or industrial uses remain under consideration. The board asked the town administrator to craft neutral language and to include other staff or counsel as needed; the item will return to the board for final language at the next meeting.
The residents asked the town to pursue conversations with the developer before the developer files further applications that would move toward large-scale residential construction. The board did not vote to change zoning or take regulatory action at the meeting.
