Committee debates fate of 'Industrial B' zone and whether to remove it

The Town of Lakeville Zoning Bylaw Review Committee spent substantial time on Dec. 6 reviewing the definition and use table for the town’s Industrial B zone and weighing proposals to eliminate or clarify the classification.

Committee members described Industrial B as a narrow category created when an area is rezoned to industrial but a large portion of existing road frontage in the area is in a “lesser use.” Members said Industrial B is limited in what it allows compared with full industrial zoning: many uses in industrial require a special permit while Industrial B often allows uses that are different or more constrained. The committee reviewed the town use table to compare what is allowed by right or by special permit in Industrial versus Industrial B.

Members discussed specific geography tied to Industrial B in Lakeville, including the area between Kingman Street and Montgomery and parcels near Route 140. The committee reported that since Industrial B’s adoption only residential uses have been permitted in Industrial B (subject to acreage and frontage requirements). Members said the classification has discouraged new businesses from locating in those parcels.

Options discussed included removing Industrial B entirely and leaving existing uses protected, rezoning some parcels to business or industrial where appropriate, or rewriting the definition to better match the town’s intent. Committee members noted the risk of spot zoning if changes are proposed parcel-by-parcel and emphasized the need to protect existing businesses that rely on their zoning status. The committee agreed to continue research and to prepare draft language for future consideration.