Attorney David M. Asad told the Fall River Zoning Board of Appeals on Nov. 20 that Little Hands College’s proposal for 551 Rock St. is a protected educational use under the Dover Amendment and therefore should not be subject to discretionary special‑permit requirements. “The answer to that is no,” Asad said, citing a memorandum from the Massachusetts attorney general and arguing local rules cannot force a protected educational use to obtain a special permit.

Neighbors pressed the board over parking, pedestrian safety and preservation of the city’s lone 40C historic district. “Introducing a new use that further competes for limited street parking will exacerbate this, creating a dangerous environment for pedestrians, particularly children,” said Connie Silva, an abutter, who described daily congestion during drop‑off and pickup at nearby Antioch School.

Board members focused their questioning on parking and whether on‑street spaces could reasonably serve employees and parents. Counsel and a board member debated whether city ordinance 86‑4‑45 (parking relief conditioned on public good) still allows the board to exercise discretion where state law protects educational uses. The petitioner said comparable signage exists at 618 Rock St. (Antioch School) and that internal staffing and parking plans could be adjusted.

A motion to deny the special permit for parking was made and seconded; the transcript records votes but also includes inconsistent voice annotations about individual members’ answers. Because the transcript contains conflicting notations of the roll call, the article reports the motion, its rationale and that a vote occurred; the exact tally is unclear in the record. The transcript segments referenced below include the motion and the subsequent roll‑call exchanges.

The board did not adopt new written findings concerning the Dover Amendment at the meeting; the applicant indicated they would consider appeal options or refile. The board’s next procedural step on the matter (final written decision or clarification of the roll call) will be reflected in the official minutes and decision file.