Project for 49-unit apartment building at former Fall River school moves forward, proposed barber shop/salon granted variance

The Fall River Zoning Board of Appeals has allowed projects to move forward, including two in particular.

Last week, Thomas Alva Edison Building, LLC c/o Atty. Peter Saulino went in front of the Board concerning a project at 138 Hartwell Street through the Cordeiro Group.

The applicant requested a Special Permit to allow the following:

To construct a 49 Unit Apartment Building pursuant to the provisions of Section 86
Attachment 2 of the City of Fall River Zoning Ordinance.

To waive the setback requirements for parking surfaces pursuant to Section 86-445 of
the City of Fall River Zoning Ordinance.

To waive the required number of parking spaces from 98 to 49, (ratio of 1 space per
residential unit) pursuant to Section 86-445 of the City of Fall River Zoning Ordinance.
The applicant is requesting a Variance to allow the following:

To waive the front yard setback requirements set forth in Section 86 Attachment 1 of
the City of Fall River Zoning Ordinance, from 10’ to 2.1’.

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

The property, which once held Frank Silvia School, has been condemned after a devastating fire in March of 2025.

The building, which will be built from the ground up, will consist of market-rate housing encompassing 29 one-bedroom and 20 two-bedroom units.

In addition to the 49 parking spaces on site, additional spots will be available at a neighboring property, 60 Hartwell Street.

Cordeiro purchased the property in January for $205,000, according to the Registry of Deeds.

The Board granted the Special Permit unanimously.

Also at last weeks’ meeting, the Board heard a request by Manuel Ferreira c/o Atty. Peter Saulino concerning 362 Sprague Street.

The applicant requested a Variance to allow the following:

To convert the existing non-conforming commercial building into a barber shop and/or
hair salon, waiving the use restrictions set forth in Section 86 Attachment 2 of the City of
Fall River Zoning Ordinance.

The property is located within an “B-L” (Local Business) Zoning District.

The barber shop/salon will be by appointment only.

The Variance request was unanimously approved.