Residents, committee push back on MBTA recommendation for housing at Lakeville station site
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Summary
Committee members reported public opposition to MBTA’s initial recommendation to use surplus station land for housing; town discussion centered on retail, a grocery store, or family attractions as alternatives for the roughly 5-acre paved surplus property.
At a recent MBTA outreach meeting reported to the Lakeville Open Space Committee on July 3, the MBTA indicated it may prefer housing as the highest-and-best use for its surplus property at the Lakeville commuter station. Committee members and several residents at that MBTA meeting spoke against housing and suggested alternatives such as a grocery store, restaurants, or family-oriented businesses.
"Now the MBTA says they recommend that we turn it into housing," committee member Bob reported to the committee. He said three or four people at the MBTA meeting stood and objected to housing. Committee members said the property is largely paved and estimated at about 200,000-plus square feet (roughly five acres), and that converting it to green space would require substantial work because the site is paved.
Members noted the MBTA owns the surplus parcel and will seek a developer. Committee members said the town planning board and select board will continue to be involved and that the town administrator, Andrew Superforth, will notify the committee of future public meetings where residents can comment. The MBTA has also discussed the possibility of dedicating portions of the site to transit uses such as the Cape Cod Express, though no decision has been made.
No formal committee action was taken; members said they will monitor the matter and attend public meetings if the town schedules them.