ZBA tables controversial proposal to convert former convent at 550–570 Rock Street after heavy neighborhood opposition

The Fall River Zoning Board of Appeals on Thursday temporarily set aside a petition from Rockview (Lockview) LLC to convert buildings at 550–570 Rock Street — a former convent in the Highlands Historic District — into 15 market-rate apartments.

The applicant’s attorney, Peter A. Salino, told the board the plan would adapt the existing structures, preserve the facades and provide off-street parking; he said 15 units was chosen after consultations with the property owner and project team. Preservation and neighborhood groups urged the board to reject or delay the matter and seek review by the Fall River Historical Commission. Alexander Silva, who identified himself as president of the Preservation Society of Fall River, said the parcels sit inside the Highlands 40C local historic district and asked the board to obtain an opinion from the Historical Commission before action.

Neighbors and other speakers raised similar objections: parking and traffic impacts, the scale and density of 15 units, emergency-access concerns and the cumulative effect of several recent developments in the area. Former Fire Chief Roger St. Martin Jr. submitted a letter describing difficulties firefighting crews faced on Saucier Street during a past structure fire and urged the board to inspect the site in person. Multiple residents said the project as proposed would be “too dense” for the block and asked for a smaller, more contextual reuse.

After more than an hour of public comment, attorney Salino asked to confer with his clients. He returned and told the board the applicant would withdraw the three buildings fronting on Rock/Slade Street from the current application and reconfigure the project to a smaller total, then asked for a continuance to the board’s June meeting so the petitioner could present revised plans. The board voted to table the matter to the June 26 meeting and asked the applicant to file revised plans at least seven days before that hearing.

The item drew the largest turnout of the evening and several written submissions in opposition that were entered into the record.

What’s next: the applicant will resubmit a revised plan and renderings; the board will consider the reduced proposal at its June 26 meeting after the planning office posts the updated materials.