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Lakeville voters reject rezoning proposal after environmental concerns raised
Summary
A proposed rezoning to change a parcel from residential to business failed to get the required two-thirds support after residents and an expert raised wetland and wildlife concerns.
A proposal to change zoning on a parcel along Route 44 from residential to business failed at the Town of Lakeville special town meeting after residents and experts raised concerns about wetlands and wildlife habitat.
The petitioned article proposed rezoning a parcel shown on the warrant and related materials; the planning board had reviewed the matter and, after discussion, the planning board’s representative gave the board’s recommendation on the floor. Residents, including Richard Turner, who identified himself as a lifelong Lakeville resident and a Division of Fisheries and Wildlife employee, described wetlands adjacent to the parcel, cranberry bog features and habitat used by spotted turtles and other amphibians and urged caution. The planning board speaker said much of the area beyond 400 feet of Route 44 is likely wetlands and suggested environmental review before a final vote.
The article required a two-thirds vote. After a count by the tellers, the moderator announced the article failed, with a final floor result reported as 171 opposed to 42 in favor.
Speakers on the floor noted that any specific development plan would still require review by the appropriate boards and that the purchaser represented as a local resident had retained an engineering firm to examine the property. The planning board speaker suggested additional environmental review and recommended bringing the issue back to a future town meeting with more information. The rezoning failed on the required supermajority at the special town meeting.
