[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6268047,"mediaKeyId","3059877-257f811e5286e5a889ba03bf44710aaa","parentId",3059877,"title","ZBA approves stowage at Oak Grove site with conditions: limited spaces, vegetative buffer and fencing required","audioSeconds",1118,"startMs",6072000,"endMs",7190000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3059877-257f811e5286e5a889ba03bf44710aaa&start=6072&end=7190","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3059877-257f811e5286e5a889ba03bf44710aaa/thumbnail_6072000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6268047/Fall-River-City/Bristol-County/Massachusetts/ZBA-approves-stowage-at-Oak-Grove-site-with-conditions-limited-spaces-vegetative-buffer-and-fencing-required","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6268047-67371b831162f3251999889e7d64f752/orig.mp4?Expires=1771167878&Signature=REv43whjgjTurq8C9BN-HQGnqZMaPmjD005lE6sCoebUXr0FY3YnGB4uJS0TagfzfXvxZ4KSPNe2x8TzMFGVk4F3jH6Ii5yrgxngBwb6c6sbE0lKzEN0j68-mIQR-YOpn0PguqUPA2BrEiDl-cT9GgDRV~~KIq2BUjcDHoX4NhHZayQfqfPTLJBnAYwNs~UXQT5TYCmD7inikNTnVJQwhOo4fy5SLoiLZNc5L1VrZ3VM2ghvVYxq7Gcr7KqEcYE-9D73YuAXN~zBXV~1h9XjFwOk-qVJQKfIw1H3SQKJtzzn23r6E~F4nEcCG5g-n5n0HAM1rC4cauPEVyaVLm8zmw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Fall River City, MA","date","2025-04-19T08:39:49.257Z","article","Attorney Thomas Kiloran represented Brian Medeiros (Troy City Towing) at a hearing on April 17 seeking a variance and special permit to allow the stowing of towed vehicles at 35 Oak Grove Avenue. The lot currently contains an auto service station, car wash and non-operational fuel pumps; the petitioner wants to move towing operations from Flint Street to Oak Grove and store vehicles on the Oak Grove parcel.

Kiloran and Medeiros described the intended operations: towing for the city's police rotation (accident and removal calls), vehicle servicing and a car wash. Medeiros said that when he tows vehicles outside business hours he sometimes leaves them on the truck until morning, and he sought permission to park/stow vehicles at his Oak Grove facility at any hour when necessary. He emphasized that his existing Flint Street operation had operated without neighbor complaints and that the Oak Grove site is a secured, fenced area.

Abutters and residents raised concerns about proximity to houses behind the site, the potential for long-term derelict vehicles, screening and visibility for traffic at the Oak Grove/Beatty intersection. A neighbor (Doris Chico) urged the board not to allow stowed vehicles to be located less than the zoning setback from the street, arguing the surrounding area is residential and that the use should be located elsewhere. Attorney David Assad, representing an adjacent property owner, requested a vinyl fence between the two properties.

Planning staff and the applicant worked through layout options during the hearing. The petitioner agreed to reduce the number of stow spaces and to relocate spaces so that the existing vegetative buffer along Beatty Street could be preserved. The applicant also agreed to install screening and a secured chain-link roll-up gate for the stow area, to plant additional evergreen screening (Arborvitae) along the rear where requested by neighbors, and to install a six-foot vinyl fence along the southern property line abutting Broadway Properties (with the fence not extending closer than 10 feet to Oak Grove Ave so vehicle sightlines are preserved at the car-wash exit).

The board voted to grant the variance to permit stowage at the site and separately granted the special permit to allow parked/stowed vehicles within the requested setback so long as conditions were met. The board explicitly capped the number of stowed-vehicle spaces at 22, required the vegetative buffer and specified the fence/screening and that there be no access from Beatty Street. The board also required the applicant to proceed through site-plan review to memorialize the approved layout and conditions. The motions passed unanimously.

The petitioner indicated he would discontinue the Flint Street stow operation once Oak Grove is fully permitted and operational, and the board recorded that enforcement would be handled through building inspection and site-plan review if long-term derelict vehicles or other compliance issues arose.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","4.17.2025 Zoning Board of Appeals","oneSentenceSummary","The Zoning Board granted a variance and special permit to allow Troy City Towing (Brian Medeiros) to stow towed vehicles at 35 Oak Grove Ave, subject to conditions including a maximum of 22 stow spaces, a 10-foot vegetative buffer along Beatty Street, chain-link screening for the compound and a six‑foot vinyl fence on the south property line.","taxTitle","Fall River City, Bristol County, Massachusetts","taxId",4215,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6268052,"ZBA grants variances for Dilapidated-garage infill on Buffington Street",265,5797000,6062000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3059877-257f811e5286e5a889ba03bf44710aaa&start=5797&end=6062","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3059877-257f811e5286e5a889ba03bf44710aaa/thumbnail_5797000.jpg","/articles/6268052/Fall-River-City/Bristol-County/Massachusetts/ZBA-grants-variances-for-Dilapidated-garage-infill-on-Buffington-Street","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6268052-58bc7a8dd2da5d3e978c5f6b8344fdbc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771167878&Signature=Kwc-k-ZfMSIOkVfQEGh-g1kbQfPqKmt8Coucm2u5cuEHud74nHuYXIiNEoPA-0svuDI1NMcjnfS8DoGxHphQkQffaFddWtHTYEBDj5RDmi~ob~y9FysMJi6KFRuAEMWGbpc3jr9gPn~He2D7IDBPYDQjvLLc~tdcMaltDoxMKBuSBtQnDDNNqY-18ONXM782leCTQaNwX6TaA41Hz9hofK7ygqSaICspnXZ458mhyUycEGCpYJSvV170CFqVYTWIuC3l5xmbeLw4f3KyNtrEcgHwYuTdNC3K5-xuLQgWN~BuGmrZ5B-4w5gHSjrdfQwdrZ7paKaNrZqXcSgPBkvqtw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Attorney Thomas Kiloran presented a petition for a small lot on Buffington Street (approximately 5,000 square feet) where an existing nonconforming two-stall garage sits almost directly onto the street. The applicant, Zachary DeCunha, requested dimensional variances to demolish the garage and build a single-family residence with two off-street parking spaces and improved front and side setbacks compared with the existing condition.

Kiloran told the board the proposed house would be set back roughly 20 feet from the street (a greater setback than the existing structure), would provide two compliant off-street parking spaces and would not increase lot coverage compared with current conditions. The Planning Department noted the parcel was similar in size to other lots in the neighborhood and that pending updates to the city's A2 zoning recommendations could reduce the amount of relief needed in future cases.

No members of the public opposed the plan. Board members characterized the project as an improvement over the current blighted structure and voted unanimously to grant the variances as presented.","The board approved variances allowing the demolition of a nonconforming garage and construction of a single-family residence on a small Buffington Street lot, finding the new home a neighborhood improvement and largely consistent with the A2 zoning context.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6268056,"ZBA approves subdivision cleanup and new single-family home at Swan Street parcel",650,4202000,4852000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3059877-257f811e5286e5a889ba03bf44710aaa&start=4202&end=4852","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3059877-257f811e5286e5a889ba03bf44710aaa/thumbnail_4202000.jpg","/articles/6268056/Fall-River-City/Bristol-County/Massachusetts/ZBA-approves-subdivision-cleanup-and-new-single-family-home-at-Swan-Street-parcel","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6268056-bad436d6ba763a67970cf9a127ca86b2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771167878&Signature=SMJ52o1X6r~V3cXv6m8ZRnbP60f0KrPHYwhd2ctxxkPjgvuwATgjkiAnV3M~4XA-7VGoUesFm2kH-jCc-PEFkAlz0k7FVHL2rXqXiC-PLiW8noXVF5u~ZFpoHd1fYq0~~ekw0BO~VHSoJfFGpidIpi7lSSH1nQMGBJfx8m1CQAG3Vu2cnUQ75V0Hwp4POeBFn9NNiGJiq4melLL2K8hmfE5aSDrDOeESPoB9W6WGbG05xrpJaOZl1SiK3B3RoD6d4WjVd~pHHZz9ScfwnlWN11bwgOhFDZ9BeDcmBZrfyaZQ-Ws8YiURrr94XYzIfYBYEkCYwcQQmnmsGTj8DFI8EA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Attorney Gregory Brilliant represented the applicant, Maria C. Mello, seeking relief for a parcel on Swan Street (Map D21, Lot 51) that includes an existing vacant towing/repair building and an adjoining single-family home at 321 Lake Avenue. The request would reconfigure lot lines, convey roughly 1,000 square feet to an adjoining lot and allow a new 31-by-38-foot, three-bedroom single-family dwelling on the reconfigured parcel.

Brilliant said the existing garage structure is blighted and encroaches onto neighboring land; converting it directly into a dwelling would not be feasible without extensive work. The proposal would reduce nonconformities by eliminating the dilapidated garage footprint, creating a regularly shaped residential parcel and providing two off-street parking spaces for the new house.

Planning staff noted the lot was created historically with irregular lines to accommodate the previous commercial use and that water and sewer have since been installed—eliminating old septic constraints. Board members asked about the amount of relief requested (several setback and lot-area variances), and planning staff and counsel said the plan would make the properties more consistent with the single-family character of the neighborhood.

No members of the public spoke in opposition or in support during the hearing. After discussion the board voted to grant the requested variances and the conveyance as presented, with the applicant to complete separate utility connections and to proceed with the site improvements consistent with the approved plan.

The motion carried unanimously.","The Zoning Board granted variances to allow reconfiguration of an oddly shaped parcel formerly used for towing and to permit construction of a single-family home at 321 Lake Avenue (parcel conveyed from a larger lot); the board found the proposal would eliminate nonconforming elements and improve neighborhood character.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6268061,"ZBA removes weekend storage restriction for Cavallo's Towing; 24/7 stow approved",816,4920000,5736000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3059877-257f811e5286e5a889ba03bf44710aaa&start=4920&end=5736","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3059877-257f811e5286e5a889ba03bf44710aaa/thumbnail_4920000.jpg","/articles/6268061/Fall-River-City/Bristol-County/Massachusetts/ZBA-removes-weekend-storage-restriction-for-Cavallos-Towing-247-stow-approved","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6268061-c5bab033b03c1ce5970a5f1f5f381af4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771167878&Signature=arfrPsYszK54td0sYUyWdFRblcFKawv8CptnF~4jSu9jnxzYMkTBXrBAY5DTMxLWxBg-dmfyWpPcgA1pagp6xXk1O9X8znDjEgLNWdyEK0S6FKbYldXPHxjy7Ua2UHrMCyEPg7hEnQqmLXKeA5jAehDjQMaA-LtmoMmm9IGbqzqQPfoutXugIaMCeM-G4a3n1r24t8HsXgEqVLOGk-ffbHmRtHVPgQJZdC61oDnJUkwGKx7D1hGEGlTbychP8eRFyOiqBPHHNxSZT9uHwxDvtsZqkDxo1-Lc-W6gxmQGGCSROgY60Qeexk4unSruMXRtnUp559-pinqxqjWZKQOvSA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Attorney Gregory Brilliant represented Cavallo’s Tire and Auto Center at 410 Second Street and asked the Zoning Board of Appeals on April 17 to remove a condition placed on an earlier variance (2014) that restricted the location’s towing/storage activity to Monday–Saturday and late evening hours.

Brilliant told the board that owner Paulo Cavallo had acquired the property four years earlier, renovated it and had been added to the city’s towing rotation. He said the existing condition effectively required any vehicle obtained on a Sunday to remain on the tow truck until Monday morning; removal of the condition would let the operator place towed vehicles on the fenced and locked storage area at any hour when necessary.

Board members and staff discussed safeguards typically used for stowed vehicles—including fencing, locking and screening—and reiterated the board’s ability to impose or retain other conditions aimed at preventing a property from becoming an unregulated storage yard. The applicant emphasized that the fenced storage area is secure and that the site has six on-site spaces inside the building and a locked compound.

After brief public input (no opposition speakers appeared), the board voted unanimously to remove the time restriction condition and allow vehicles to be stored on the property when required by the tow rotation. The board noted that other previously imposed conditions remain in effect and that the building inspector and police will continue to enforce issues such as long-term derelict vehicles and compliance with public-safety rules.

The motion was approved by a 5–0 vote; board members said they expected the site to remain subject to ordinary enforcement tools should long-term storage or junking become an issue.","The Zoning Board unanimously approved a petition by Cavallo's Tire and Auto Center to remove a 2014 condition that limited towing-storage activity to Monday–Saturday; the board left other site conditions unchanged.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6268066,"Fall River ZBA tables proposal for seasonal ‘Tiki Bar’ at O'Connell boatyard amid parking and privacy concerns",3887,249000,4136000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3059877-257f811e5286e5a889ba03bf44710aaa&start=249&end=4136","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3059877-257f811e5286e5a889ba03bf44710aaa/thumbnail_249000.jpg","/articles/6268066/Fall-River-City/Bristol-County/Massachusetts/Fall-River-ZBA-tables-proposal-for-seasonal-Tiki-Bar-at-OConnell-boatyard-amid-parking-and-privacy-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6268066-215b80154812b3a16909d5625b978859/orig.mp4?Expires=1771167878&Signature=CLIRp5pi1ABWZa5p4VhrVlDXh71CUNjux9bteCi8QSXb0UUIcGrbYJEY9oc9s2Xa6gUseI78GmF~Cn-oebRs1C1wi7S4bzf3ya3X9yuho-D9hcu9pr5t3GntOXb8WuV0QAT6x3rc14dvFB3NmwW5GXISv7cuIQt7DFkUL8UtzmmiGoTK0D5hV8O-wpWl0ifI66XsU3Uf02Dl3~iPsucsCCNBMAlNn21a~nr000XTwBx~LioVi9KqGYrSXI9KntaB7lk1lkHj1bugVEQsHhInrEiZZjZAQIy2DQIwGqyFijTCmXDEpKSrdWGeXZ6s3qCbcPlS1nH1PhZfKNtnGgyAWw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Joseph Ferreira, chairman of the Zoning Board of Appeals for Fall River, presided over a public hearing on April 17 on a petition from the owners of O'Connell Boat Yard at 284 River Street seeking a special permit to operate a seasonal outdoor entertainment venue, with food trucks and alcohol service, in the boatyard's yard.

Attorney Jeffrey Maderas presented the petition on behalf of the applicant and described the proposal as a seasonal “bar and entertainment” use running when boats are in the water (he said the applicant proposed June 1 through Oct. 1). Maderas said food would be provided by contracted food trucks and the alcohol service model was intended to follow the ordinance category for bars by special permit, because the venue would not be a fixed restaurant structure.

The petition drew detailed questioning from board members and city staff about which specific zoning use category applied (bar, restaurant, commercial recreational facility) and whether a variance would be required for any part of the plan. Dan Aghiar, the city’s director of engineering and planning, and Board members pressed the applicant to clarify the relief sought because the building inspector's original denial—and therefore the scope of board action—depended on that point. Maderas acknowledged the need for a follow-up discussion with the building inspector to narrow and fix the application.

Public commenters split between expressions of support and concerns. Several residents who keep boats at the yard or live nearby said they supported the concept as a waterfront activation. Supporters included Cindy Plaza (North Main Street), Joe Gomez (Montgomery Street) and Bob Sorayba (Beckham Street), who praised the O'Connells' longtime operation of the yard and described the proposal as an asset for the north-end waterfront.

Neighbors who live immediately adjacent raised privacy, noise and traffic concerns. An abutter who identified herself as living between the subject property and 284 River Street said the proposed entertainment area would look into her backyard and pool because of site topography and clearing; she asked for clearer plan detail and protections. Attorney David Assad, representing owner and abutter Arthur Hancock of 300 River Street, also pressed the board to confirm proper notice and to require signage and routing so customers do not congest Hancock’s access.

Board members and staff highlighted several items the application must address before a final vote: a clear citation of the bylaw section(s) for which relief is requested; confirmation whether the bar classification would permit food trucks (and whether that requires separate relief); a revised site plan that shows the boat slips, the 52 on‑site parking spaces claimed by the applicant, striped spaces and any proposed overflow parking; emergency-vehicle access and evidence from police and fire about access needs; and a clearing-up of inconsistent property/street numbers that resulted in confusion over public notice.

Given those outstanding issues, the board voted unanimously to table the petition to allow the applicant to return with clarified relief and a revised plan. The board cautioned that a denial would bar reapplication for two years under the ordinance, so staff and the applicant agreed to use the tabling to resolve the open items and to come back ready for a final decision.

The petition remains pending; the applicants asked for a seasonal operating window of June 1–Oct. 1 and indicated tentative hours of noon to 8 p.m. Monday–Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sundays, with a patio capacity they estimated at about 200 people. The building inspector and planning staff will work with the applicant on the precise bylaw sections to be relied on and with police and fire on access and safety conditions before the ZBA hears the petition again.","The Fall River Zoning Board of Appeals on April 17 tabled a special-permit petition by the owners of O'Connell boatyard to operate a seasonal outdoor entertainment venue and alcohol service, citing unclear application details, parking and emergency-access concerns and unresolved abutter objections.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

ZBA approves stowage at Oak Grove site with conditions: limited spaces, vegetative buffer and fencing required

ZBA grants variances for Dilapidated-garage infill on Buffington Street

ZBA approves subdivision cleanup and new single-family home at Swan Street parcel

ZBA removes weekend storage restriction for Cavallo's Towing; 24/7 stow approved

Fall River ZBA tables proposal for seasonal ‘Tiki Bar’ at O'Connell boatyard amid parking and privacy concerns