Historic Preservation Commission

NEWPORT HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MARCH 26, 2025 @ 5:00 P.M. Newport Municipal Building, 998 Monmouth Street, 1st Floor Multi-Purpose Room The public can access the meeting through the live stream on Facebook.com/City of Newport KY or YouTube/City of Newport KY A regular meeting of the Newport Historic Preservation Commission held on Wednesday March 26, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. at the Newport Municipal Complex, 998 Monmouth Street Newport, Kentucky 41071 Board Members Present:  Bruce Carter  Mary Beth Crocker  Scott Fleckinger  Michael Haas  Mike Kolb: Chair  Mark Ramler: Vice Chair  Jennifer Williams: Historic Preservation Officer  Rosemary Williams: Legal Assistant  Michael Woloshin: Assistant City Attorney Chair Kolb swore in all witnesses prior to public hearing items. Approval Of Minutes:  Motion made by Mark Ramler, second by Mary Crocker to approve the Regular Meeting Minutes from February 26, 2025. The motion passed 5-0, With 1 Abstention by Scott Fleckinger Public Hearings: HP2500007  Applicant: Wow Property Management, LLC  Location: 905 Washington  Request: COA to install Hardie siding at 905 Washington St. Newport, Ky 41071 Comments:  Jacqueline Mayer served as legal representation for Wow Property Management.  Sean Davis of Wow Property Management spoke in favor of the project.  Commission discussed how to mitigate moisture problems in the future.  Findings of Fact: Hardie meets the guidelines and has been used before, will have no negative effect on property, and will have no negative effect on district. Approval: Motion made by Scott Fleckinger, second by Mark Ramler, to approve the COA HP2500007 with conditions that Hardie be smooth with a reveal matching what is currently on the home and a recommendation that the owner install a vapor barrier and have the product painted on site. Roll Call Vote: 6-0 Motion Carried  Bruce Carter (Yes)  Mary Beth Crocker (Yes)  Scott Fleckinger (Yes)  Michael Haas (Yes)  Vice Chair Mark Ramler (Yes)  Chair Mike Kolb (yes) HP-2500176  Applicant: Bellevue Land, LLC  Location: 229 W. 9th St.  Request: COA for New Construction at 229 W. 9th St. Newport, Ky 41071 Comments:  Erin Wilkins served as legal representation for Bellevue Land, LLC  Bellevue Land, LLC Owner Greg Cozzart spoke in favor of the project.  Commission discussed possibilities for minimizing visual impact of different siding materials.  Findings of Fact: The proposed project meets the Guidelines, will improve the lot, and will not negatively impact the neighborhood. Approval: Motion made by Scott Fleckinger, seconded by Mary Beth Crocker, to accept staff’s recommendation to approve the COA HP2500176 with the condition that Hardie be installed smooth side out, with 4’ reveal, on the street-facing portions of the front facade. Roll Call Vote: 6-0 Motion Carried  Bruce Carter (Yes)  Mary Beth Crocker (Yes)  Scott Fleckinger (Yes)  Michael Haas (Yes)  Vice Chair: Mark Ramler (Yes)  Chair: Mike Kolb (Yes) HP2500178  Applicant: ArtsWave  Location: 601 Overton St.  Request: COA For a Mural at 601 Overton St. Newport, Ky 41071 Comments:  Sarah Houseman served as legal representation for ArtsWave.  Nick Wade of ArtsWave spoke in favor of the project.  Property owner Jenny Brewer spoke in favor of the project.  Richard Hunt, owner of Roebling Books, spoke in favor of the project.  Heather Sherwood, community member, spoke in favor of the project.  Commissioner Mark Ramler spoke about the need for more guidance on how to incorporate murals into Newport’s historic areas and streetscapes. Approval: Motion by Mark Ramler, seconded by Mary Beth Crocker, to table the discussion and direct staff to coordinate with the Commission and consultants to develop mural guidelines to balance historic preservation and artistic expression. Roll Call Vote: 6-0 Motion Carried  Bruce Carter (Yes)  Mary Beth Crocker (Yes)  Scott Fleckinger (Yes)  Michael Haas (Yes)  Vice Chair: Mark Ramler (Yes)  Chair: Mike Kolb (Yes) Adjournment: Motion made by Scott Fleckinger, second by Mary Beth Crocker to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried; the meeting adjourned at approximately 6:22 p.m. Approved: Date: Attest: