Lakeville committee weighs open-space residential plan against 40B proposal for Rocky Woods

Lakeville’s Open Space Committee on Jan. 2 discussed whether the town should pursue an Open Space Residential Development (OSRD) agreement for the Simonsville/Rocky Woods property or allow the developer’s existing 40B comprehensive-permit proposal to proceed.

The committee and members of the public told the Planning Board that the OSRD concept, as shown to town officials, leaves major technical and conservation questions unanswered and that more information — including topographic overlays and archaeological overlays — is needed before the town pursues a negotiated OSRD agreement. The Planning Board asked town boards for written input and to decide whether to continue negotiating on an OSRD at its Jan. 9 meeting.

The OSRD concept presented to the Planning Board shows roughly 204 units on about 308 acres; the 40B plan referenced in committee materials covered roughly 202 units on about 185–190 acres. Committee members and other town reviewers identified discrepancies in unit counts and bedroom totals between the two concepts and raised concerns that the OSRD plan appears to spread development across the parcel, increasing impacts to wetlands, vernal pools and other resources compared with the more compact 40B layout.

Conservation and…