Newport Historic District Commission approves suite of property projects, schedules site visit for Spring Street

The Newport Historic District Commission on Tuesday approved multiple applications for exterior work across the city, continued a window restoration request and several pending matters, and scheduled a site visit for a partially reconstructed property on Spring Street.

Madam chair opened the meeting and led roll call before the commission moved through its agenda of continued and new applications. The commission voted to approve replacement, repair and reconstruction projects at properties on Bellevue Avenue, Champlin Street, School Street, Willow Street, Ridge Road and Second Street; it continued the request to restore the historic wood windows for 38 Pelham Street; and it directed a site visit for 134–136 Spring Street with potential administrative approval depending on the site-visit outcome.

Why it matters: The commission’s votes determine what exterior materials, window types, roof coverings and minor massing changes are allowed in the Newport Historic Districts — decisions that affect property appearance in nationally and locally significant areas and that are subject to local standards cited in each approval.

Key outcomes (high-level) - Approvals included: exterior repairs and replacements at 37 William Street and 734 Bellevue Avenue (summary approvals), replacement or repair of windows and doors at several addresses, replacement of roofing materials in kind, and new-construction approval for a single-family house on Ridge Road. - Conditional approvals: several approvals included conditions for administrative review and staff sign-off (for example, administrative approval of final window specs or exterior details). - Continued/returned items: the commission continued Part B (historic wood windows) of the 38 Pelham Street application to its July 8 meeting and continued one condo item to the July meeting. Several applications lacking an appearance were dismissed without prejudice or continued to the next meeting.

Votes at a glance (motions recorded at the June 10 meeting) - N4: 37 William Street (Plat 28, Lot 154) — summary approval as presented, citing Newport standards (approved). - N7: 734 Bellevue Avenue (Plat 38, Lot 30-4) — summary approval as presented, citing Newport standards (approved). - N8 (split): 38 Pelham Street (Plat 24, Lot 259) — Part A (roof replacement with cedar shakes and copper gutters; siding and trim work; repointing chimney and foundation) approved; Part B (restoration of historic wood windows) continued to the HDC meeting on July 8, 2025 (split: Part A approved; Part B continued). - Continued/administrative scheduling: 134–136 Spring Street (Plat 24, Lot 163) — commission scheduled a site visit; based on that site visit the preservation planner may administratively approve completing the rear construction and certain elevations; the commission approved moving forward with construction of the east rear L's and replacing the rear east door with an all-wood door subject to administrative approval following the site visit (site visit scheduled; conditional administrative approval authorized). - C4: 718 Bellevue Avenue, Unit 2 (Plat 38, Lot 29-2) — approved with condition that the proposed casement windows be changed to double-hung; final window specifications to be administratively approved by the preservation planner (approved with conditions). - 5 Champlin Street (Plat 23, Lot 018) — revised plans for converting a non-contributing garage to an ADU were approved per the revised plans submitted; the commission cited standards for non-contributing structures (approved). - 41 School Street (Plat 24, Lot 145-4) — approved per revised plan set with the condition that proposed garage lanterns be electric rather than gas (approved with condition). - 19 Willow Street (Plat 12, Lot 100) — approved to replace seven street-facing windows as presented (approved). - 14/16 Second Street (Plat 16, Lot 199) — approved the relocation of two non-contributing ground-level windows to align with upper-level windows (approved). - Ridge Road (Plat 44, Lot 039) — approved plans for a new single-family dwelling on an empty parcel with the submitted materials (approved). - Dismissals without prejudice: 8 Poplar Street (Plat 17, Lot 304), 10 Franklin Street (Plat 27, Lot 49), 73 Catherine Street (Plat 23, Lot 098) were dismissed without prejudice for lack of appearance/representation. - Continued to July 8, 2025: 364 Bellevue Avenue, Unit D102 (continued for lack of applicant appearance).

Quotes from the meeting - "All those in favor? Aye," the presiding officer said at multiple roll-call style votes.

Process and next steps - The commission repeatedly cited Newport standards and technical sections included in applicants’ materials (for example, Newport Standard 17 and related technical appendices). Several approvals were conditional on administrative sign-off by the preservation planner; the planner will schedule and lead the site visit for 134–136 Spring Street and will notify commissioners of the outcome. - Items continued to the commission’s regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, will appear on that agenda for further action or final disposition.

What the record shows - The meeting record indicates unanimous aye votes on motions where the roll call was taken verbally; the transcript records commissioners saying "Aye" for each motion. Where a specific numeric roll-call tally was not given, the action is recorded as "approved" or "continued" in this report to reflect the motion outcomes announced on the record.

Ending - The commission adjourned after several additional administrative items and a brief new-business discussion about the federal Historic Preservation Fund and upcoming training. Preservation staff said they will follow up about training logistics and the schedule for the July agenda.