Historic Preservation Commission

NEWPORT HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION May 22, 2024 5:00 p.m. Regular Meeting Minutes CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL A regular meeting was called to order by NHPC Chair Nick Miller on May 22, 2024, at 5:05 pm in the Multipurpose Room of the Newport Municipal Building at op 998 Monmouth Street. Commission members present were Ken Clift, Mary Beth Crocker, Scott Fleckinger, Michael Haas, Mike Kolb, Mark Ramler, and Nick y Miller. John Hayden, Assistant City Manager; Brian Steffen, Planning and Development Director; and Jennifer Williams, Acting Historic Preservation Officer, were present. The meeting was held in person in conjunction with a live stream on Newport’s YouTube page. APPROVAL OF MINUTES lC Commissioner Fleckinger moved to approve the minutes from the February 2, ca 2024 meeting, seconded by Commissioner Ramler. Motion passed unanimously. PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS ffi 1. Application for Certificate of Appropriateness to construct four new townhomes in the East Row Local Historic District at 330 Washington Ave., Newport, KY 41071 (HP 2400487) O Requested By: Matt Olliges, Vision Realty Group Comments:  Assistant City Manager John Hayden swore in any of those who An wished to testify about a project that evening. Mr. Hayden noted that Commissioner Crocker would be recusing herself and instructed the Commission to give her testimony as a private citizen equal weight as that given to any member of the public. He also admonished the Commission that decisions should be made based on evidence presented at that evening’s meeting and nothing more. ot He also noted that the Commission has purview over design review, not use or other issues.  Commissioner Crocker recused herself at 5:11 pm, citing proximity N to the proposed project. She elected to speak as a private citizen.  Planning and Development Director Brian Steffen explained that the project had already gone through an initial zoning review, explaining rules about density and setbacks. He noted that the proposed use was permitted by right and reiterated that the Commission’s purview is design review. 1|Page   Tom Fischer was the legal representative for the applicant and spoke in favor of the project.  Mary Beth Crocker (229 E 4th St.) said that while she was happy that the vacant property would be filled, she had concerns about parking and access to her property. Motion by Commissioner Fleckinger, seconded by Commissioner Clift to approve the plan as presented, “knowing that it meets all the criteria that this board is looking for and that it’s a good tie between the third street commercial and Washington residential.” Roll Call: Commissioner Clift Commissioner Crocker Yes Recused op y Commissioner Fleckinger Yes Commissioner Haas Commissioner Kolb Commissioner Ramler Chair Miller: Yes Yes Yes Yes lC ca Commissioner Crocker rejoined the Commission at 5:24 pm. 2. Application for Certificate of Appropriateness to demolish ffi cinderblock retaining wall on side and rear of property and replace with Allan Block wall in the East Row Local Historic District at 646 Maple Ave., Newport, KY 41071 (HP 2400498) O Requested By: Matthew Morscher A motion by Commissioner Ramler, seconded by Commissioner Haas: “We approve staff’s recommendation based on the findings of fact.” An Roll Call: Commissioner Clift Commissioner Crocker Yes Yes Commissioner Fleckinger Yes ot Commissioner Haas Commissioner Kolb Commissioner Ramler Chair Miller: Yes Yes Yes Yes N OTHER BUSINESS Mr. Steffen commended the Commission on their efforts to preserve housing stock in Buena Vista. He discussed recent changes in staffing. 2|Page Mr. Hayden also discussed changes in staffing and the fact that there is now a full Historic Preservation department, not just one staff member. He also discussed recent preservation efforts and historical events and people in the City. Mr. Steffen noted that Newport is unique in how much it does to preserve its history, including recent research and archival work. Acting Historic Preservation Officer Jennifer Williams thanked the Commission for being welcoming as she moved into her new position and discussed a op potential upcoming working session to review the revised Newport Historic Design Review Guidelines. She also discussed a potential future meeting to y discuss what duties the Commission might delegate to the Historic Preservation Officer. NEXT MEETING TBD ADJOURNMENT lC ca Commissioner Clift moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Commissioner Kolb. Motion passed unanimously. ffi The meeting was adjourned at 5:56 p.m. O _____________________________ Nick Miller, Chair ____________ Date An _____________________________ Jennifer Williams, Acting Historic Preservation Officer ____________ Date ot N 3|Page