The Fall River Zoning Board of Appeals, chaired by Joseph Pereira, met on June 18th, 2026. The board unanimously approved a special permit for Jesse and Molly White to construct a 1,260 sq ft garage at 1170 Watkins Street, with conditions prohibiting commercial use or conversion to an accessory dwelling unit (ADU). They also unanimously granted a variance for Geo Management LLC at 1190 Stafford Road to convert a first-floor office into three residential units, bringing the building’s total to seven. A resident, Paul Lopes, spoke in opposition, citing traffic safety concerns at the intersection. The board then unanimously approved a variance for Charles J. O’Gara to demolish a commercial garage and build a three-unit townhouse at 33 Higgins Street, acknowledging the hardship presented by a large ledge outcropping on the property.
A special permit was unanimously granted to RE New Realty Services LLC to re-establish the former “Berry Freeze” ice cream shop at 1807 Globe Street. The approval came with conditions for seasonal operation, limited hours, employee-only off-street parking, and walk-up service only. An abutter raised concerns about the lack of customer parking. The board tabled two petitions until its July 16th meeting. The first, from Louis Gonsalves at 333 Durfee Street, sought to convert an auto repair shop into three apartments; the board requested a revised plan with more adequate parking. The second, from June Perry at 311 Crescent Street, to divide a lot for a new single-family home, was tabled with instructions to create a new plan where the proposed lot fully complies with the adjacent residential zoning district’s requirements. The meeting also featured the board’s first-ever citizen’s input session, where Nancy Zary spoke about the need for a parking lot at Holy Name Parish, a matter currently in litigation. The meeting concluded after the approval of the May 21st minutes.
Topics discussed
- 0:00 · Meeting Opening and Procedures
Chairman Joseph Pereira opened the meeting, introduced the board members and staff, and outlined the rules and procedures for the hearing. - 3:34 · Special Permit for Garage at 1170 Watkins Street
The board reviewed and approved a special permit for a 1,260 sq ft garage, with conditions that it not be used for commercial purposes or as an ADU. - 8:35 · Motion to grant a special permit for a garage at 1170 Watkins Street with conditions of no commercial use and no ADU conversion. — passed
Motion to grant a special permit for a garage at 1170 Watkins Street with conditions of no commercial use and no ADU conversion. - 8:49 · Variance for Residential Conversion at 1190 Stafford Road
A variance was granted to convert a first-floor office into three residential units, bringing the total to seven. A resident raised concerns about traffic safety. - 9:03 · Motion to approve the variance as requested for 1190 Stafford Road to create a total of seven residential units. — passed
Motion to approve the variance as requested for 1190 Stafford Road to create a total of seven residential units. - 17:41 · Variance for Townhouse Construction at 33 Higgins Street
The board approved a variance to demolish a commercial garage and build a three-unit townhouse, citing a ledge outcropping as a hardship. An abutter expressed concerns about maintaining access to their property. - 17:56 · Motion to grant the variance for 33 Higgins Street to demolish a garage and construct a three-unit townhouse. — passed
Motion to grant the variance for 33 Higgins Street to demolish a garage and construct a three-unit townhouse. - 26:35 · Special Permit to Re-establish Ice Cream Shop at 1807 Globe Street
A special permit was approved to reopen the former “Berry Freeze” ice cream shop with a waiver for customer parking. An abutter raised concerns about parking congestion. - 26:44 · Motion to approve the special permit for 1807 Globe Street with conditions for employee parking, hours of operation, signage, and no ADU. — passed
Motion to approve the special permit for 1807 Globe Street with conditions for employee parking, hours of operation, signage, and no ADU. - 45:43 · Variance for Auto Shop Conversion at 333 Durfee Street
A proposal to convert an auto repair shop into three apartments was discussed. The board raised significant concerns about the lack of sufficient parking, leading to the item being tabled. - 57:54 · Motion to table the petition for 311 Crescent Street until the July 16th meeting. — tabled
Motion to table the petition for 311 Crescent Street until the July 16th meeting. - 58:27 · Motion to table the petition for 333 Durfee Street until the July meeting. — tabled
Motion to table the petition for 333 Durfee Street until the July meeting. - 59:21 · Variance for Lot Division at 311 Crescent Street
A proposal to divide a lot to create a new buildable lot for a single-family home was tabled. The board requested the new lot be redesigned to fully comply with the adjacent residential zoning district’s requirements. - 1:18:11 · Citizens Input on Holy Name Parish Parking
Nancy Zary, a parishioner, spoke about the need for a parking lot at Holy Name Parish. The board could not comment as the matter is in litigation. - 1:20:35 · Approval of Minutes
The board approved the minutes from the May 21st, 2026 meeting. - 1:20:45 · Motion to approve the minutes from the May 21st meeting. — approved
Motion to approve the minutes from the May 21st meeting. - 1:21:05 · Motion to adjourn the meeting. — passed
Motion to adjourn the meeting.