Historic Preservation Commission

NEWPORT HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION October 25, 2023 6:00 p.m. Regular Meeting Minutes CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL A regular meeting was called to order by NHPC Chair Nick Miller on October 25, 2023, at 6:03 pm in the Multipurpose Room of the Newport Municipal Building at 998 Monmouth Street. Commission members present were Ken Clift, Mary Beth Crocker, Mike Kolb, Catherine McElwain, and Nick Miller. Commissioners Scott Fleckinger and Michael Haas were absent. John Hayden, Assistant City Manager; Brian Steffen, Planning and Development Director; Scott Clark, Historic Preservation Officer; and Jennifer Williams, Historic Preservation Assistant, were present. The meeting was held in person in conjunction with a live stream on Newport’s YouTube page. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Clift moved to approve the minutes from the September 27, 2023 meeting, seconded by Chair Miller. Motion passed unanimously. PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS 1. Designation of the Buena Vista Local Historic District (HP 2300870) Requested By: City of Newport A motion by Commissioner Clift, seconded by Commissioner McElwain, that “Based on commission review, the input of the Public Hearing, and the findings of the Buena Vista Survey conducted as part of the 2019 National Historic District Designation, the Newport Historic Preservation Commission recommend the designation of the proposed Buena Vista Local Historic District version one to the Planning and Zoning Commission because the proposed district meets the City of Newport’s Designation Criterion Seven (having character as a geographically defined area possessing a significant concentration or continuity of sites, buildings, objects, and structures united by past events or aesthetically by plan or physical development) as well as Criterion Eight (having character as an established geographically defined neighborhood united by culture, architectural style, or physical plan and development); I further move that the City of Newport adopt the Secretary of the Interior Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties to use as Design Review Guidelines while the current East Row Historic District Design Review Guidelines are under revision.” Comments: 1|Page  • Planning and Development Director Brian Steffen explained that staff were recommending the use of the Secretary of Interior Standards as design review guidelines for Buena Vista. Only those property owners who were proposing to make alterations to their property would be required to follow the guidelines. He also noted that staff were recommending that the guidelines only be applied to work done on the readily visible portion of the building, which would be the front corners forward. He noted that these guidelines would not apply to painting unless someone proposed to use neon or fluorescent colors or paint unpainted masonry. • Director Steffen explained that two maps were being brought before the Commission; map version 1 comprised a larger area spanning from Lowell to Putnam while map version 2 spanned from Isabella to Putnam, with an expansion planned for a later time. Staff’s recommendation was to adopt map version 2. • Mr. Hayden discussed the City’s concerns about affordability. He said that we don’t want to see anyone have to move out because they can’t afford to repair their homes. He said that the goal was to appreciate the neighborhood’s history while also recognizing that some people may not be able to make certain alterations to their homes. He also said that the proposed regulations would not infringe upon property owners’ right to expression, such as the use of flags or yard signage. • Commissioner Clift noted that the Commission and City Staff work with property owners to ensure that projects are completed successfully. • Commissioner McElwain discussed the history of the East Row designation and the large size of the District. • Chair Miller expressed his belief that designation would create incentives for development and investment. He said that this is about preserving the West Side. He asked Staff whether it was true that people who don’t make changes to their homes won’t be affected by designation. Staff answered in the affirmative. Mr. Steffen reported that if you don’t touch your property, there’s nothing to see City Staff about. Roll Call: Commissioner Clift Yes Commissioner Crocker Yes Commissioner Kolb Yes Commissioner McElwain Yes Chair Miller: Yes OTHER BUSINESS 2|Page Chair Miller moved to table the election of a Vice Chair to the next meeting. Seconded by Commissioner Clift. Roll Call: Commissioner Clift Yes Commissioner Crocker Yes Commissioner Kolb Yes Commissioner McElwain Yes Chair Miller: Yes NEXT MEETING TBD ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Kolb moved to adjourn the meeting. Motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 9:04 p.m. _____________________________ ____________ Nick Miller, Chair Date _____________________________ ____________ Scott Clark, Preservation Officer Date 3|Page