The Fall River Zoning Board of Appeals voted Jan. 16, 2025, to allow 194 Belmont Street to be converted from a single-family to a two-family dwelling, with a condition that no additional units be created beyond the approved two-unit configuration.

Attorney David Magna represented the 194 Belmont Street Realty Trust and said the large Victorian house — long held by the family and roughly 4,000 square feet — has been difficult to maintain as a single-family unit. The petition requested variances for lot-area, front-yard setback, lot coverage and use in the single-family district. The applicant told the board the plan includes four off-street parking spaces.

Board members discussed a pending state accessory dwelling-unit (ADU) regulation that could allow a by-right ADU in about two weeks; planning staff advised the board to consider capping permitted units to prevent a future increase in density beyond the two units granted. Counsel assented. The board approved the variance with a condition that the structure be limited to no more than two dwelling units.

The motion passed with recorded votes: Alexis — yes; James Calkins — yes; Dan DuPere — yes; Eric Kelly — yes; Chairman Ferrera — yes.