Fall River Zoning Board of Appeals grants requests to move some new housing units forward, other projects tabled to next meeting

Several projects went in front of the City of Fall River Zoning Board of Appeals this month that could bring new units to the city.

1. SCOTT DAPONTE & KIMBERLY DAPONTE c/o Atty. Mark L. Levin requested a Variance to allow to construct an addition to the existing single-family dwelling at 2036 Meridian Street, which will include two bedrooms, a bathroom, a kitchen, and a garage, waiving side yard setback by 5.5 feet on one boundary. Waiving the requirements of Section 86-35 Attachment I of the City of Fall River Zoning Ordinance The property is located within a “R-30” (Single Family) Zoning District.

Granted with the stipulation that the home be kept a single family and no future ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit also known as a secondary suite).

2. TETRAULT REAL ESTATE, LLC c/o Atty. Peter A. Saulino requested a Special Permit to divide the current parcel at 165-169 Grant Street into 2 separate lots. The first lot will keep the existing two-family structure located at 165 Grant St encompassing a newly created parcel of 2,847 square feet with a frontage of 38 feet. The second lot will contain the existing four-family building at 169 Grant St., situated on a new parcel of 3,870 square feet with a frontage of 15.74 feet. The property is located within a “A-2” (Apartment) Zoning District.

Granted with the conditions of separate utilities, no fencing between the properties, permanently boundary markers and site plan review.

3. BRIAN MURKLAND c/o Atty. Peter A. Saulino requested a Variance to construct a two-family dwelling on a currently vacant lot at 1173 S. Main St., requested to waive lot area, lot coverage, and setback requirements in a R-4 Zoning District. Waiving the requirements of Section 86-35 Attachment I and Section 86-36 Attachment II of the City of Fall River Zoning Bylaw. The property is located within a “R-4” (Two-Family) Zoning District.

Granted with no future ADUs.

4. BRAD T. TURNER c/o Atty. Peter A. Saulino requested a Special Permit to allow the applicant to extend the existing non-conforming structure at 0 Saucier Street by adding a second floor. The applicant requested a Variance to convert the existing garage into a two-unit residential apartment building with four off-street parking spaces. Waiving the requirements of Section 86-35 Attachment I and Section 86-36 Attachment II of the City of Fall River Zoning Bylaw. The property is located within a “A-2” (Apartment) Zoning District.

Neighbors expressed concerns over parking, emergency vehicle access, and that the development would be just a few feet from a neighboring home which led to the matter being tabled to the June meeting to address concerns.

5. ROCKVIEW, LLC c/o Atty. Peter A. Saulino requested a Variance to convert the two existing convents and carriage house at 550 & 570 Rock St into 15 2-bedroom residential apartment units. Waiving the requirements of the R-4 Zoning District as detailed in Section 86-35 Attachment I and Section 86-36 Attachment II of the City of Fall River Zoning Bylaw. The applicant requested a Special Permit to adjust the dimensional requirements necessary to accommodate the required parking spaces and to increase the existing non-conforming lot coverage for each lot. The property is located within a “R-4” (Two-Family) Zoning District

Saulino stated that the facade will not change and will have 2 parking spaces per proposed unit.

The Board noted that they are to act based on the law and not emotion.

Many residents voiced opposition based on traffic, density, water damage, and privacy concerns in addition to believing the project would change the historical character of the neighborhood.

The request was tabled to the June meeting to express concerns.

6. FAMILY HOMES CONSTRUCTION CO INC c/o Atty. Peter Saulino requested a Use Variance to subdivide the existing parcel at 189 Wellington St. into seven parcels and to construct three single-family dwellings and three two-family dwellings, waiving the requirements of Section 86-36 Attachment II of the Zoning Ordinance. The proposed parcels will meet the area and dimensional requirements of the WTOD Zoning District. The existing structure will be converted into a nine-unit apartment building on the remaining parcel. The property is located within a “WTOD” (Waterfront & Transit Oriented Development) Zoning District.

Request granted.

7. HYDE DEVELOPMENT, LLC c/o Thomas P. Killoran requested a Special Permit to construct at 0 Slade St. 3 triplex buildings for a total of 9 units in a CMD District pursuant to Section 86-36 Attachment II. To construct parking, which is not located within a structure, to be located within 10 feet of the lot line pursuant to Sections 86-444(b)(1) and 86-445 This property is located within a “CMD” (Commercial Mill District) Zoning District. Two parking spaces per unit are proposed.

The Special Permit was granted.

8. HYDE DEVELOPMENT, LLC c/o Thomas P. Killoran requested a Special Permit to construct 72 two-bedroom residential market rate units consisting of 6 three story multifamily buildings at 0 & 47 Slade St., each with 12 units in a CMD District pursuant to Section 86-36 Attachment II. To construct parking, which is not located within a structure, to be located within 10 feet of the lot line pursuant to Section 86-444(b)(1) and 86-445. To eliminate the requirements of 1 loading space for each multifamily dwelling containing more than 10 units pursuant to Section 86-441 and 86-455. This property is located within a “CMD” (Commercial Mill District) Zoning District. Two parking spaces per unit are proposed.

Neighbors expressed their concern over traffic, congestion, noise pollution, and a perceived detriment to the neighborhood with a smaller proposal preferred. Those in favor noted that it would help rid of the homeless encampments in the area.

The request was tabled to the June meeting to address concerns and reduce the number of units.

9. SHAKER INVESTMENTS, LLC c/o Jeffrey Tallman requested a Variance to construct a two-family dwelling on the existing, non-conforming lot at Woodbine Place., waiving the requirements of Section 86-35 Attachment I as to building setbacks, lot area, lot frontage, and lot coverage. This property is located within a “G” (General Residence) Zoning District.

The Variance was granted on the condition of no future ADUs.

10. JOSPEH AND STEPHANIE MERKT c/o Jeffrey Tallman requested a Variance to construct a single-family dwelling on Cambridge St. Lot 80 (south side of Cambridge in between Coggeshall and Oxford), waiving the requirements of Section 86-35 Attachment I as to lot frontage and lot coverage. The existing garage is to remain. This property is within a “R-4” (Two-Family) Zoning District.

Request granted.

11. BPH HOLDINGS LLC c/o Jeffrey Tallman sought a Variance to construct a single-family dwelling at Goodwin St., Lot 28 (south side of Goodwin between Myrtle and Poplar), waiving the requirements of Section 86-35 Attachment I as to front yard setback, rear yard setback, and lot coverage. This property is within a “R-8” (Single-Family) Zoning District.

Variance granted on the condition of no future ADUs.

12. KARA O’CONNELL c/o Atty. Jeffrey P. Medeiros is requesting a Special Permit at 284 River Street to operate a seasonal bar, entertainment, event space serving alcohol and providing food via food trucks and licensed vendors. These proposed uses would be additional to the existing commercial boat yard/ storage facility. The property is located within a CMD (Commercial Mill) Zoning District. The existing boat facility is Captain O’Connell’s which, according to their website, has been in the boat business since 1930 doing Sales and Service. This petition was previously tabled at the April 17, 2025, Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting at the request of the applicant.

Tabled to June meeting.

The next Fall River Zoning Board of Appeals meeting is scheduled to be held on June 26th.