Historic Preservation Commission

NEWPORT HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION December 4, 2024 5:00 p.m. Special Call Meeting Minutes CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL A special call meeting was called to order by NHPC Chair Mike Kolb on December 4, 2024, at 5:00 pm in the Multipurpose Room of the Newport Municipal Building at 998 Monmouth Street. Commission members present were Mary Beth Crocker, Scott Fleckinger, Michael Haas, Mike Kolb, Kathryn Quinn, and Mark Ramler. Billy Summe, Assistant City Attorney, and Jennifer Williams, Historic Preservation Officer, were present. The meeting was held in person in conjunction with a live stream on Newport’s YouTube page. SWEARING IN • Assistant City Attorney Billy Summe administered the oath of office to Kathryn Quinn. APPROVAL OF MINUTES • Vice Chair Ramler moved to approve the minutes of the October 23, 2024 regular meeting, seconded by Commissioner Fleckinger. Motion passed unanimously. PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS 1. Application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to construct a detached garage at 562 Lexington Ave (HP 2401096) Requested by: Randall Voet Comments: • Assistant City Attorney Billy Summe swore in all who wished to testify during the evening’s public hearings. • Historic Preservation Officer Jennifer Williams gave a staff report recommending the approval of the project with the condition that the Hardie siding be installed smooth side out. She noted that the proposed project is consistent with the Guidelines and will not have a negative effect on the property or the district. She also requested Commission guidance on the width of the siding’s reveal. • Mr. Randall Voet (contractor) and Ms. Carolyn Bruns (owner) spoke in favor of the project. • The Commission discussed their appreciation of the design and the appropriate reveal of the siding. 1|Page  A motion by Chair Kolb, seconded by Commissioner Fleckinger, to accept Staff’s recommendation for approval with the added condition that the siding be installed with a 4” reveal. Roll Call: Commissioner Crocker Yes Commissioner Fleckinger Yes Commissioner Haas Yes Commissioner Quinn Yes Vice Chair Ramler Yes Chair Kolb Yes 2. Application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to demolish a structure at 601 Oak St. (HP 2401144) Requested by: Brian Sturm Comments: • Ms. Williams gave a staff report. She recommended approval of the demolition because: the structure had been condemned due to hazardous conditions and because the structure was not a contributing property in the historic district as determined by a district survey. Furthermore, this was not a case of demolition by neglect, as previous attempts to stabilize the structure had failed. • Mr. Brian Sturm (owner) spoke in favor of the project. He discussed his plans to fence and landscape the property. • Findings of Fact – Commissioner Fleckinger noted the following: o The proposed project meets the requirements of the Historic Preservation Ordinance. o The proposed project will not harm a historic structure. o The proposed project will have a positive effect on the integrity of the district. A motion by Commissioner Fleckinger, seconded by Commissioner Haas, to accept Staff’s recommendation to approve the proposed project. Roll Call: Commissioner Crocker Yes Commissioner Fleckinger Yes Commissioner Haas Yes Commissioner Quinn Yes Vice Chair Ramler Yes Chair Kolb Yes 3. Application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to construct a new residence at 708 Columbia St. (HP 2401181) Requested by: Newport Millennium Housing Corporation III 2|Page  Comments: • Ms. Williams gave a staff report recommending the approval of the project with the condition that the Hardie siding be installed smooth side out. She also requested Commission guidance on the width of the siding’s reveal. • Mr. Tom Fisher served as legal representation for the Newport Millennium Housing Corporation III. • Mr. Tom Guidugli of the Newport Millennium Housing Corporation III spoke in favor of the project. • The Commission discussed their appreciation of the character of the design. • Findings of Fact – Vice Chair Ramler noted the following: o The proposed work is consistent with the Guidelines. o The proposed project will have a neutral effect on the historic character of the property. o The proposed project will have a neutral effect on the historic character of the neighborhood. A motion by Vice Chair Ramler, seconded by Commissioner Haas, to approve the application. Roll Call: Commissioner Crocker Yes Commissioner Fleckinger Yes Commissioner Haas Yes Commissioner Quinn Yes Vice Chair Ramler Yes Chair Kolb Yes 4. Application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to replace metal railing with metal railing and gate at 553 E 4th St. (HP 2401216) Requested by: Kevin Meyer Comments: • Ms. Williams gave a staff report. She noted that the Guidelines prohibit new metal porch columns or railings but do not directly address maintaining or replacing metal railings that have been previously installed. She requested Commission guidance. • Property owner Kevin Meyer spoke in favor of the project. He asserted that he had conducted research and believed metal railings to be appropriate for the neighborhood. • A discussion ensued among the Commission about the period- appropriateness of metal railings and the effects of metal railings on the historic integrity of the district. Commissioners requested more 3|Page  information on metal railings historically and how other municipalities handle the issue. A motion by Commissioner Crocker, seconded by Commissioner Haas, to table discussion until further research could be conducted. Roll Call: Commissioner Crocker Yes Commissioner Fleckinger Yes Commissioner Haas Yes Commissioner Quinn Yes Vice Chair Ramler Yes Chair Kolb Yes NEXT MEETING January 22, 2025 ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Fleckinger moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Commissioner Haas. Motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 5:52 p.m. _____________________________ ____________ Mike Kolb, Chair Date _____________________________ ____________ Jennifer Williams, Historic Preservation Officer Date 4|Page