ZBA permits conversion of 194 Belmont Street to two units, limits future additional units
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Summary
The board approved a variance converting a large Victorian at 194 Belmont Street into a two-family dwelling and placed a condition that no additional dwelling units be created beyond the two approved units.
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.