LAKEVILLE — Lakeville is considering a new bylaw that would change the scope of the controversial proposed 200-unit 40B Rocky Woods housing development off Freetown Street.

At a Dec. 26 meeting of the Planning Board, representatives from the Planning Board, Open Space Committee, Conservation Commission, Board of Health and the Wampanoag tribe had early discussions on the changes and whether they would be preferable to the original plan. 

A potential Open Space Residential Development zoning bylaw would allow no more housing than is permitted in a subdivision plan while maintaining half of the total land area as open space. The new bylaw would need to be approved by a two-thirds vote of Spring Town Meeting to move forward.

The previous proposal for the Freetown Street land was developed as a 40B project, a state mandate allowing developers to bypass certain zoning requirements if less than 10 percent of the community’s housing stock is considered affordable and if at least 20 percent of the units being constructed are deemed affordable. 

Developer Muhammad Itani’s proposal called for 200 units, including 44 single-family homes, 46 duplex cottages catering to an older demographic and 11 10-unit condominium buildings. At least 50 of the units will be restricted to people with low to moderate incomes. 

The project has drawn strong opposition from residents over traffic impact, safety issues and potential harm to the water supply, among other concerns raised at a series of meetings.

If a new bylaw is approved, developers have proposed changing these numbers to 214 units, including single-family homes and duplexes for people ages 55 and older, but over a larger area, 308 acres. The new plan would expand the access points to the project from two to three, with an additional entrance added on County Street. 

They would also add units in phases, Planning Board Chair Michele MacEachern said, which she noted could potentially spread out impact on the schools and public safety.

The new plan raised questions among board members in attendance.

Conservation Commission Chair Nancy Yeatts, who said she was speaking as an individual member and not on behalf of her board, noted that the open space in the new plan would be “segmented’’ and not offered in swaths.

Board of Health members questioned why all units could not be attached to a proposed wastewater treatment plant on site, rather than having the duplexes requiring septic systems. 

Cora Peirce, speaking on behalf of the Wampanoag Indian tribe, said that having to select an “either/or option’’ is “really frustrating.’’

“Neither of them is good for the ecosystem,’’ she added, noting that a series of caves on the property date back thousands of years. “That’s what you’re going to allow the developer to destroy.’’

Residents also pointed out the natural value of the land, with resident Ralph Liberatore noting that he has heard of rattlesnakes, spotted salamanders and bobcats in the area.

MacEachern said she wanted to hear other opinions before going forward with a bylaw change, which Building Inspector Nate Darling said was presented as an option for Lakeville residents. 

MacEachern said she sympathized with residents’ wish to keep the land untouched. “I hate to think about any of it torn apart and destroyed.’’

But a new bylaw could potentially offer the town more control than a state-mandated 40B proposal, she said. The issue comes down to “Is this a better option?’’ she asked.

Representatives agreed to meet with their boards to discuss the issue further and submit feedback.

The next Planning Board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 9. Town counsel is expected to attend, MacEachern said.