Council tables ticketed Newport Design Week cocktail at private home after neighbors object

The City Council tabled an application from Carol Swift to hold a ticketed Newport Design Week cocktail event at a private residence at 115 Narragansett Avenue on June 21, 2025. Councilors and neighbors raised concerns about using a residential property for a ticketed commercial event and about an earlier ticketed event tied to the same property last year.

Applicant Carol Swift, who identified herself as a Newport resident and organizer, told the council the proposed April–evening cocktail would be smaller and earlier than last year's plans and would feature British cars and a speaker from the Audrain. "Yes, we are selling tickets. That's why we're here asking permission," Swift said at the podium.

Councilor (Mr.) Collins moved to table the item after a history was recounted in which the property had previously been the subject of a special-event license and an undisclosed ticketed cocktail event was reported last season. Councilor David Carlin reviewed minutes and online listings showing a previously ticketed event where the location was not disclosed until the day of the event; councilors noted strong neighbor concerns about commercial uses in residential zones.

Proponents said the property had not been used for commercial events since last summer and that the organizers had shifted most events to other venues; neighbors cited the residential zoning and said ticketed events are inconsistent with area expectations. The motion to table succeeded; council members clarified that tabling means the application could be refiled and reconsidered at a future meeting if additional information is submitted.

The council did not vote on the application tonight. Tabled items require a future hearing or resubmission by the applicant with additional details, such as specific site plans, crowd-control measures and clearer descriptions of outside uses or parking.