The Planning Department oversees and controls development within the City of Fall River. This is accomplished through the department and its divisions (Engineering, Minimum Housing, Licensing and Conservation.). All play a crucial role to ensure regulations such as the Wetlands Protection Act, Zoning and Building Codes are adhered to.

The Department of Planning assists with all matters to be presented to the Zoning Board of Appeals and Planning Board. The Zoning Board hears all matters relating to zoning appeals and variances. The Board consists of (5) five members and meetings are scheduled for the third Thursday of each month. The filing deadline for the meeting would be on the 14th of the month prior to the meeting.

Planning Board members are appointed by the Mayor subject to confirmation by the City Council. Their responsibilities include enforcement of the subdivision rules and regulations, recommendations for street acceptances, zoning changes and variance re-hearings. The Board meets once a month usually on the third Thursday. Public hearing filings must be submitted 30 days prior to the meeting and "Approval Not Required Plans" should be submitted (7) seven days prior to the meeting.

The Department of Planning through the division of engineering is responsible for street reconstruction. Since 1996 the city will have completed work on over 260 streets totaling more than 60 miles. Water lines were replaced in 79 of those streets for a total of 15.9 miles. In addition to those roads the city has funded and completed over 20 miles of sidewalk repairs.

Listed below are a few of the many ongoing projects currently being worked on by the department:

Street Improvements - City Business Districts along Pleasant and South Main Streets.
New Traffic Signal - Intersection of North Eastern Avenue and Locust Streets.
Multi Purpose Pedestrian/Bicycle Path - Abutting the South Watuppa Pond.
Ponta Delgada Boulevard - Street & Plaza improvements
Computerized Mapping -Updating of street, utility and assessor maps
President Avenue / Elsbree Street - Street design improvements
Central Street Bridge Reconstruction
Almond Street Bridge Reconstruction
North Main Street Reconstruction - Route 79 to the Freetown Line
Meridian Street and Broadway - Under design for future reconstruction.

If you have any questions or need additional information, you may contact the office at 508-324-2561 between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. You may also contact the department by e-mail at Planning@fallriverma.org.

FALL RIVER ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS MEETING SCHEDULE
(Look for updated list this fall)
Any changes made to the schedule will be advertised in the
Fall River Herald News 15 days prior to the meeting date.

Meetings are held @ 7 p.m. in the First Floor Hearing Room
One Government Center
Entrance on Sullivan Drive.
FALL RIVER PLANNING BOARD

The Planning Board meetings are scheduled as needed. Please call the Planning Department at 508-324-2561 for further information.
Description of Division Functions:

Welcome to the Engineering Division of the Planning Department of the City of Fall River.

At the Engineering Division we're primarily responsible for planning and overseeing improvements to our City's vital transportation infrastructure. Each year we direct the design and oversee reconstruction of numerous City streets, water mains, drainage systems, and sidewalks.

Beginning in 1995, an aggressive program designed to drastically improve our infrastructure was implemented. Defective streets, water mains and sidewalks throughout our City were identified and targeted for reconstruction or other improvements. This program has resulted in over 30 million dollars in improvements to more than 260 streets and over 55 road miles! We appreciate your patience as we continue to work to improve even more of your streets and sidewalks in the coming years. Although street, water and sidewalk improvements are our main priority, we work closely with the City's Sewer Commission, Department of Public Works, Water Department and Traffic Department to maintain and improve our City's entire infrastructure.

The Engineering Division also oversees all private Drainlayers that work within the City's right of way or make a connection to a City owned sewer. Our office maintains a list of Drainlayers that are licensed to: Repair sewer lines or connect a new home or businesses to the City sewer system, install new water service connections, remove curbing and replace or install sidewalk, create or widen a driveway, perform excavations and other work in a City street or sidewalk area.

We also maintain and make available a full set of reproducible Assessor's maps, sewer connection cards, sewer main plans, flood maps, zoning maps, etc. For a complete list of reproducible maps and plans we have available at our office, please click here.

Have questions? Please click here to view the Engineering Division's list of "Frequently Asked Questions" and answers.
About the Conservation Commission

The Fall River Conservation Commission administers the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act (M.G.L. Chapter 131, Section 40) and its regulations (310 CMR 10.00) within the corporate boundaries of Fall River. This law requires that any person who intends to do work within a wetland resource area or within the one hundred foot buffer zone must file an application with the Conservation Commission before proceeding. The application is reviewed at a public hearing. The purpose of the Wetlands Protection Act is to prevent damage or destruction of wetland areas.

Several different kinds of areas qualify as "wetland resources." They include swamps, marshes and bogs, as well as floodplains, banks, beaches, tidal flats and land under ponds, rivers and streams. Wetlands are protected because they provide valuable benefits and services, such as flood control, pollution abatement, protection of drinking water, protection of fisheries and shellfish beds and wildlife habitat.

If you are not sure whether there are wetlands on your property or whether work you are planning to do requires a filing, please contact the Conservation Commission office. We will be happy to assist you.

Conservation Commission Meetings

Conservation Commission meetings are held in the City Council Hearing Room and normally begin at 6:30 p.m.

Conservation Areas

The Fall River Conservation Commission also manages two Conservation Areas near the Copicut Reservoir in east Fall River: the Miller Brook Conservation Area and the Quanapoag Conservation Area. Nature trails, winding through peaceful settings of forest and brooks are open to the public. You are likely to meet some of the local residents - songbirds, frogs and turtles, waterfowl, chipmunk, deer, butterflies and wildflowers (in spring and summer) and maybe even a fox. You are welcome to use these areas for hiking and picnicking. Please carry out whatever you carry in!

To reach the Conservation Areas, take the Reed Road exit off Route 195 and travel north on Reed Road. After about two miles, Reed Road becomes "North Hixville Road." Continue for a little over a mile, then take a right turn on Copicut Road. The Miller Conservation Area is about one mile further, on the left. The Quanapoag Conservation Area is on Quanapoag Road. Continue down Copicut Road until the pavement ends, then take a right onto a dirt road. The Conservation Area is a few hundred yards down Quanapoag Road.

Click HERE for a list of services and fees