The Fall River Planning Board on Jan. 8 unanimously endorsed five Form A plans — four subdivisions and one lot merger — clearing the way for recorded lot-line changes and future development at parcels across the city.

The endorsements, taken during a regularly scheduled meeting chaired by John Ferrer, covered: a corner parcel at 250 Laurel St.; a reestablishment of original lot lines at 368 Charles St.; a two‑lot subdivision for property at 697 Oak Grove Ave.; a two‑lot division at 136 Downing St. following a variance and Land Court withdrawal; and a three‑parcel merger at 20 Laurel St. and Rhode Island Ave. that was required as a condition of a variance related to an auto sales/repair proposal. Each motion carried on a 3‑0 roll‑call vote.

Why it matters: Form A endorsements are an administrative step showing a plan “believed not to require approval” under state subdivision rules. Endorsement allows applicants to record revised lot lines with the registry of deeds and is frequently required before development, demolition or construction permitted by zoning variances can proceed.

Board action and key details

- File 25‑1606 (250 Laurel St., assessor map C‑5, lot 16): Owner/applicant Emery M. Gomes, trustee for Steven T. Gomes Living Trust. The property at the corner of Salisbury and Laurel was presented for endorsement; the planner recommended approval. Motion to approve by Michael Farrias, second by Mario Lucio. Roll‑call: Lucio — yes; Farrias — yes; Chair John Ferrer — yes. Outcome: approved.

- File 25‑1607 (368 Charles St., assessor map A‑2, lot 57): Owner Louis Cordero; applicant Law Office of Burke, Espanola & Van Cone. The board noted a prior Zoning Board of Appeals decision (granted Oct. 24) that allowed subdivision by restoring an original lot line. The presentation listed the east parcel at about 59,100 square feet with 50 feet of frontage and the retained single‑family lot at about 60,900 square feet with 58 feet of frontage. Motion to approve by Mario Lucio, second by Michael Farrias. Roll‑call: Lucio — yes; Farrias — yes; Ferrer — yes. Outcome: approved. The recording information for the variance was shown on the plan.

- File 25‑1608 (697 Oak Grove Ave., assessor map P‑26, lot 20): Owner/applicant Emery M. Gomes, trustee for Steven T. Gomes Living Trust. The proposal subdivides a larger parcel in the G residential zoning district into two lots of roughly 25,000 square feet each, each with about 50 feet of frontage; the planner stated both resulting lots meet the G‑district requirements with no variance required. Motion to approve by Michael Farrias, second by Mario Lucio. Roll‑call: Lucio — yes; Farrias — yes; Ferrer — yes. Outcome: approved.

- File 25‑1609 (136 Downing St., assessor map L‑6, lots 52‑53): Owner/applicant Dream Homes LLC. This parcel — described in the presentation as approximately 16,000 square feet with an existing two‑family dwelling in the middle — previously received a variance and had been involved in Land Court. The applicant voluntarily withdrew the parcel from Land Court; recording information and related documents were included in the file. The plan would create two side lots (described on the submission as about 5,000 square feet each with 50 feet of frontage) and leave the existing dwelling on a middle lot (the presentation listed frontage and square‑foot figures on the plan). The planner recommended endorsement. Motion to approve by Mario Lucio, second by Michael Farrias. Roll‑call: Lucio — yes; Farrias — yes; Ferrer — yes. Outcome: approved.

- File 25‑1610 (20 Laurel St. & Rhode Island Ave., assessor map C‑1, lots 40 and 1): Owner/applicant Tucker Dachshund Realty. The application merges three interior lot lines into one parcel as a condition of a prior variance that permits demolition of an existing single‑family dwelling and construction of an auto repair and auto sales facility. Board discussion included confirmation that the lot‑line removals match the variance condition. Motion to approve by Michael Farrias, second by Mario Lucio. Roll‑call: Lucio — yes; Farrias — yes; Ferrer — yes. Outcome: approved.

Meeting process and next steps

The board conducted a roll call at the start of the meeting (Gloria Pacheco and Beth Andree were present in addition to Lucio, Farrias and Ferrer). City engineer Dan Aghia and administrative clerk Patty Aghia were present; Fall River Government TV recorded the meeting. No members of the public signed up for citizen input, and no public comments were taken. The board voted to table approval of meeting minutes to a future session. With no further citizen input, the board adjourned.

All five endorsed Form A plans are administrative approvals that allow recording of revised lot lines; additional permits, building approvals or variance conditions (where noted) remain prerequisites for development described in the filings.