The department’s concern was about emergency vehicle access to the property when a wake or funeral was taking place the Planning Board required the engineer to work out the issue with the fire chief and report back to them before voting its final approvals. He also noted that a second access point is not required by zoning bylaws.Ī second drive was one of the recommendations filed by the fire department after their review of the plans, members noted. Member Barbara Mancovsky suggested a second driveway be added to the plans, but Silva said that Mass DOT (Department of Transportation) seldom approves two curb cuts on property fronting state roads. Most members agreed with that opinion, but there was some discussion of the amount of traffic generated by such businesses, and concerns whether the single access point – a two-way driveway for cars entering from and exiting onto busy Route 105 – would create more congestion at the busy intersection with Bridge Street. “I think this is a very good proposal, and I think it’s a very good complimentary use for this property,” he told Russell.
Planning Board Chair Brian Hoeg thought the site plans and building plans were well designed and would fit the neighborhood. The West Bridgewater funeral home only has 58 parking spaces, Russell noted, saying he was thrilled to have so much room for parking at the Lakeville site. The site plans called for 87 parking spaces on three sides of the building, more than adequate for the large crowds that wakes and funerals generate. “I would not be doing this project if I could not provide a beautiful building, a beautiful parking area, and great service at a reasonable price,” he added. “I am a new Lakeville resident, and a lot of our employees have moved down here, and I know the need of the community” for a second funeral home in town, he said. Owner David Russell told the Planning Board at its April 25 meeting that he recently moved to town, and was looking forward to expanding his business here. Russell & Pica Funeral Homes recently expanded from its original Brockton location with a second facility in West Bridgewater. Site plans for the property located across from the Walgreen’s store on Bridge Street, and a 65-by-104-foot wooden building featuring traditional New England architecture were approved by the Planning Board this spring.
LAKEVILLE - Land-clearing is underway on the first portion of the former Lakeville Hospital campus on Main Street to be redeveloped in more than a decade.Ī Brockton-based funeral home chain is planning to build its third facility on the 70,134 square foot parcel.