Neighbors and commissioners raise historic-district and zoning concerns over proposed Rock Street conversion

Homeowners and members of the Fall River Historical Commission pressed the commission on May 20 over two related issues: a proposed conversion of 550–570 Rock Street into multiunit housing and an apparent, previously unnotified change to the Highlands Local Historic District boundary.

The most immediate matter was a zoning board of appeals application by Rockview LLC to convert properties at 550 and 570 Rock Street into a 15-unit apartment complex (later revised to a proposed 12 units). Resident and homeowner Jason Caminiti asked the commission to consider referring the matter to the council and to request elevation drawings, traffic studies and other materials for the zoning hearing. "I request the board deny the variance and refer to the historical commission," Caminiti wrote in a…