Fall River Zoning Board of Appeals moves forward projects that would bring 60+ new housing units, body art spot

The City of Fall River Zoning Board of Appeals meeting was held on Thursday where many zoning issues were discussed.

Applicant: ROCKVIEW, LLC
c/o Atty Peter A. Saulino 
550 & 570 Rock St., Map O-02 Lots 16 & 17 

The applicant requested a variance to allow the following: 

1. To convert the two existing convents and carriage house on Lots 16 & 17 into 12 residential apartment units with 24 parking places. 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 also requested a Special Permit to allow the following: 

2. Pursuant to Section 86-445 to adjust the dimensional requirements necessary to accommodate the required parking spaces 

3. Pursuant to Section 86-321 to increase the existing non-conforming lot coverage for each lot. The property is located within a “R-4” (Two-Family) Zoning District 

This petition was previously tabled at the June 26, 2025, Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting at the request of the applicant. 

It got contentious at times between the board members and the many opponents of the project that were in attendance.

Opponents, along with a petition with over 100 signatures, expressed their concerns including the impact the project would have on the historic 40c district, preservation, traffic congestion, and lack of privacy.

At times, members of the board were frustrated when opponents told them what is in their purview. Chair Joseph Perreira stated that the Board’s job is to protect the Zoning bylaw and deal with the use of land and properties, not architectural features.

Attorney Alan Rumsey, who lives in the neighborhood and is the owner of Rockview LLC, spoke how he had purchased the property from the nuns concerned over what it might become, such as a sober/group home, if he did not purchase the property. He noted that it is the only property he has ever owned besides his home, and the facade on the buildings will remain.

The Board unanimously approved the variance and special permit, however, it was noted that this is one of many steps the project will have to take including going in front of the Historic Commission.

Applicant: HYDE DEVELOPMENT LLC
c/o Atty Thomas P. Killoran
0 Slade Street, Map H-17 Lot 2

The applicant requested a special permit to allow the following:

The construction of forty-eight residential units in the Commercial Mill District pursuant
to Section 86 attachment 2.

To allow parking located within 10 feet of lot lines, waiving the requirements of Section
86-444 (b)1.

The property is located within a “CMD” (Commercial Mill) Zoning District.

Neighbors previously expressed their concern over traffic, congestion, noise pollution, and a perceived detriment to the neighborhood with a smaller proposal preferred. The new proposal took those concerns into account by adding more green space and adjusting the proposal from 72 units to 48 with 3 buildings instead of 6. Buildings would be 400 feet high.

Those in favor noted that it would help rid of the homeless encampments in the area.

Each building will have 3 floors. The first two floors will have 6 two-bedroom units on each floor. The top floor for each building will have 4 three-bedroom units. There would be at least 2 parking spaces per unit.

The Board unanimously approved the special permit.

Applicant: A&E LOPES REALTY LLC
c/o Atty. Peter Saulino
212 Pleasant Street, Map N-03 Lot 8

The applicant requested a variance to allow the following:

Relief from Section 86 attachment 2 to allow the conversion of an existing commercial
unit into a body art establishment.

The property is located within a “B-L” (Local Business) Zoning District and the “AOD” (Arts)
Overlay Zoning District.

The business will be a single chair establishment by appointment only with hours of 11:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. Monday to Saturday. The location was previously a nutrition shop.

The variance request was granted unanimously.

Applicant: MADISON FR PROPERTIES LLC
c/o Atty. Peter Saulino
420 Airport Rd., (ReTrans Freight) Map Z-03 Lot 8

The applicant requested a special permit to allow the following:

Relief from Section 86-202E to allow a paved parking lot within 20 feet of lot lines.

The property is located within an “IP” (Industrial Park) Zoning District and the “RDOD”
(Research and Development) Overlay Zoning District.

The special permit was unanimously granted.

Applicant: Mario D. Reyes Ramos & Jose A. Reyez Ramos
c/o Atty. Peter A. Saulino
565 Broadway Street, Map G-21 Lot 20

The applicant requested a special permit to allow the following:

To add a third apartment unit to the existing two-family dwelling pursuant to Section 86-
426.

Relief from Section 86-445 to waive parking requirements.

The property is located within a “R-4” (Two-family) Zoning District.

The request was tabled to the next meeting on August 21st.

Applicant: The Sardinha Irrevocable Trust
c/o Atty. Peter Saulino
992 Pine Street, Map M-08 Lot 40

The applicant requested a special permit to allow the following:

To divide the property into three separate lots, leaving an existing multifamily dwelling on
each lot pursuant to Section 86-423B.

The property is located within an “M” (Medical) Zoning District.

The special permit was granted unanimously on the premise that there will be no additional ADUs.

Applicant: SALIBY REALTY II LLC
c/o Atty. Peter Saulino
1450 Plymouth Ave, Map E-2 Lot 41

The applicant requested a special permit to allow the following:

The applicant seeks to reactivate the prior commercial use pursuant to Section 86-428.

The property is located within an “R-4” (Two-family) Zoning District.

The former Webster Bank will be converted into the Greener Leaf dispensary currently located at the side of Guimond Farms.

The special permit was granted unanimously.

Applicant: Jason Roia and Brenda Roia
c/o Peter A. Saulino
1160 Meridian Street, Map U-17 Lot 28

The applicant requested a variance to allow the following:

Relief from side yard setback requirements to allow a 10 foot wide addition to the existing
dwelling pursuant to Section 86 Attachment 1.

The property is located within a “R-30” (Single-family) Zoning District.

The requested variance was approved unanimously.

Applicant: 2573 SOUTH MAIN STREET LLC & 2589 SOUTH MAIN STREET LLC
c/o Peter A. Saulino
2573 South Main Street, Map B-1 Lot 9 & 2589 South Main Street, Map B-1 Lot 10

The applicant requested a variance to allow the following:

The petitioner sought a variance pursuant to Section 86 Attachment 1 to waive frontage and side yard setbacks in the BL zoning district, and frontage and area coverage requirements in the R4 district to allow the subdivision of lots B-01-9 & B-01-10 into five lots. The two existing multifamily dwellings will be placed on conforming lots and new multifamily dwellings are proposed for the three newly created lots.

The applicant requested a Special Permit to allow the following:

Relief from Section 86-445 to amend parking and loading requirements.

The property is located within a “B-L” (Local Business) Zoning District & an “R-4” (Two-Family) Zoning District.

Residents in the neighborhood complained about property lines and are concerned that the neighborhood will no longer be quiet with minimal traffic.

After discussion, the matter was tabled to the next meeting on August 21st.

Applicant: CALODESU LLC
c/o Atty. Peter Saulino
153 Jepson Street, Map J-11 Lot 38

The applicant requested a special permit to allow the following:

To convert the existing garage structure labeled as 159 Jepson Street into a 1 bedroom second Accessory Dwelling Unit pursuant to Massachusetts General Law.

The property is located within an “S” (Single Family) Zoning District.

Concerns over the property being in an S district, the request was denied with Rick Sahady the lone vote in favor.

Applicant: Ricardo J. Pacheco Paiva
c/o Jeffrey Tallman
687 Florance Street Map R-16 Lot 79

The applicant requested a special permit to allow the following:

To increase the existing non-conforming lot coverage to construct a garage.

The property is located within an “S” (Single Family) Zoning District.

A neighbor expressed concern that the property would be too dense with the addition of a garage.

The request was granted unanimously on the condition of no future ADU.

Applicant: Pauline Luiz
c/o Atty. Gregory Brilhante
1269 President Ave, Map P-08 Lot 7
AFTER THE FACT FILING

The applicant requested a Special Permit to allow the following:

Petitioner sought an after-the-fact special permit pursuant to Section 84-426B to increase the
non-conforming nature of an existing structure specifically to permit an existing rear deck.

The property is located within an “S” (Single Family) Zoning District.

The request was granted with an adjustment to the plan for steps.