Planning board members reported on an MBTA and state-led public meeting about surplus MBTA property adjacent to Lakeville’s commuter-rail corridor and shared concerns about likely future options and local priorities.

Planning staff said the MBTA and its consultants described a request-for-information (RFI) process that would solicit concepts for the surplus property. Staff reported that the MBTA intends to retain roughly 4–5 acres to serve as commuter parking for the Cape Flyer—materials discussed at the meeting identified approximately 200 parking spaces for that use. Consultants in attendance discussed a range of possibilities, including mixed-use and residential proposals, but planning board members and several attendees emphasized that the parcel is currently zoned industrial/business and that any change to allow residential development would require action at town meeting (a zoning change or overlay).

Board members said the town’s select board encouraged resident engagement at future MBTA-led events, and staff noted that the town’s progress toward 40B “safe harbor” compliance—driven in part by a separate 200-unit project at the old Lakeville Hospital site—affects local leverage on housing proposals. One planning-board member said the town should press for commercial or industrial uses that strengthen the tax base; another noted state presentations had focused heavily on housing in other examples and urged residents to weigh in.

The MBTA presentation reportedly emphasized leasing the surplus property rather than outright sale. Planning staff said the MBTA and its partners were considering a phased approach and that a transfer-of-development-rights-type payment to the town (to buy conservation or other land) was among concepts discussed by MBTA representatives. Board members asked staff to publicize future opportunities for community input when the RFI is released.

No formal action was taken by the planning board at the meeting; staff and select-board members were asked to continue monitoring MBTA outreach and to alert the public to upcoming opportunities for comment.