Newport resident asks council to review Planning Board decision on 525 Broadway project, citing parking and safety

Paul Donovan of 530 Broadway presented a written public comment asking the Newport City Council to review a Planning Board decision on Sept. 8, 2025, that granted variances and special‑use permits to 525 Broadway LLC.

Donovan told councilors most Newport residents do not oppose workforce housing at the site but that they were not heard on safety and traffic concerns. He said the project architect testified tenants would mostly walk, use buses or ride bicycles and scooters, while traffic engineers estimated the complex would add about 1,800 vehicle trips per week at the Broadway intersection. Donovan said the Planning Board suggested — but did not require — additional parking and that the site’s allotted 41 parking spaces will be inadequate if units house more than one vehicle or have guests. "Before any variances or special use permits are granted, it should be mandatory that the developer provides at least 48 guaranteed on‑site permanent parking spaces," Donovan said. He added that if sufficient on‑site parking cannot be provided, "the number of units for this complex should be reduced to no more than 30 apartment[s]."

Donovan also said current zoning would allow 13 units without a variance and urged the council to require stricter compliance or reduce unit count if parking cannot be guaranteed. He criticized Planning Board procedures, saying application materials were not posted online until the Thursday before hearings and that residents were given short windows to submit comments for the record. Donovan said some materials sat in the planning office before being posted and that residents learned of meetings only after he circulated information on a neighborhood app.

Why it matters: Donovan framed the council review request as a safety and process concern tied to parking, pedestrian risk on Broadway and the Planning Board’s notification procedures.