Country Club modification requires public hearing under state subdivision law, planning board told

An applicant for a modification to a previously approved plan at the Lakeville Country Club (Golfer's Way) presented a request July 24 to alter the engineering layout to avoid utility conflicts with existing site electrical equipment.

The applicant told the board the change was intended to avoid removing a private solar array and a transformer that would have been affected by the original layout. He said the island and circulation were reworked so that vehicles would pull into a widened parking radius and, if necessary, could traverse grass without impacting the island. He reported having discussed the change informally with the fire chief but that a written sign-off had not yet been provided to the planning office.

Planning staff advised the applicant that under Massachusetts General Laws chapter 41, section 81T, a modification that requires an additional waiver or is not strictly clerical generally obliges the planning board to hold a public hearing and provide statutory notice. The board clarified that if the town engineer or building commissioner deems the change insignificant the town engineer may approve it administratively, but the planning board must determine whether any waiver is warranted under the subdivision-control rules.

The applicant also asked about the covenant timeline for starting or completing work; staff confirmed the approval contains a three-year completion timeframe, and the applicant's file began on Aug. 7, 2023, placing the project within its extension period. Planning staff said they would notice a public hearing if the modification is judged significant and require the applicant to return with the required notices and a copy of any fire-department memo.

No final vote was taken; the board directed staff to notice a public hearing if the proposed change requires a waiver.