Residents urge caution on Lakeshore Center development amid water-capacity concerns

At the CEDC’s first meeting, several residents used public comment to press the committee to assess cumulative infrastructure impacts at the Lakeshore Center development before advancing new projects.

Melissa (317 Lakeside Drive) told the committee the Encompass Rehabilitation Hospital Lakeshore Center application is "no longer active" because the applicant withdrew it "without prejudice," and she cited an Apex February 2026 water-impact statement that recommended a moratorium on additional building until the town’s water infrastructure is improved. "This project's no longer active as the applicant recently withdrew it without prejudice," Melissa said.

Jean Devatista (260 Lakeside Drive) echoed those concerns and described ongoing local conversations about a multi-month water crisis and strained town services. She urged the committee to ensure critical infrastructure — water, sewer, emergency personnel and schools — is stabilized before permitting further high-density development at Lakeshore Center. "We have to look at solving those problems, those critical infrastructure problems, water, roads, traffic, even having the available emergency personnel before we would consider more of these projects," Jean said.

Speakers noted Lakeshore Center has grown substantially since its original plan and now contains hundreds of residences; Melissa told the committee Lakeshore Center includes roughly 589 residences and "represents the largest population density in Bridgewater," arguing tax revenue alone should not be the sole determinant for new development.

Committee members and citizens asked CEDC to incorporate infrastructure analyses into future reviews and pointed to past council presentations (including an earlier presentation by Councilor Eric Moore) as relevant context. No formal council action on Lakeshore Center development occurred at the meeting; residents requested the committee "do the homework" before future proposals are considered.

Clarifying details: the transcript cites an Apex February 2026 water-impact statement and states that the Encompass Rehabilitation applicant withdrew its proposal; Melissa and Jean asked the CEDC to commission or require cumulative-impact analysis before new approvals.

The committee did not take formal action on the Lakeshore Center matter at the meeting and requested the topic remain on future agendas as appropriate.