Board continues 57 Marchant and schedules briefs for Bellevue appeal; May 19 full hearing set

NEWPORT — The Newport Zoning Board of Review continued two contested items and set a briefing schedule for an appeal on Monday, scheduling both matters for the board’s May 19 meeting.

57 Marchant Street continued: The board agreed at the petitioner’s request to continue the full hearing for 57 Marchant Street to the May 19 meeting. The item had been expected to be the evening’s major hearing; the petitioner asked for the continuance and the motion passed unanimously.

181 Bellevue Center LLC appeal and briefing schedule: The board set a deadline of May 9 for the appellant to submit a brief in the appeal of a Historic District Commission decision (the appeal involves 181 Bellevue Center LLC). The applicant’s counsel indicated the city solicitor does not plan to submit a response brief; the board’s solicitor reserved the right to file a reply if needed. The board agreed May 19 was a suitable full‑hearing date; the petitioner will distribute the brief in advance so members receive it roughly 10 days before the hearing.

Why it matters: Both items will occupy significant time at the May 19 meeting. The briefing schedule gives the board and its solicitor a defined period to prepare; if an objector hires counsel and files an attorney brief the schedule could change, the board noted.

Board action: The motions to continue and to set the briefing schedule passed unanimously. The board recorded that written letters from unrepresented objectors had been received in advance of the appeal but that no formal objecting attorney had yet filed a responsive brief.

Next steps: The appellant will file its brief by end of day May 9; the board’s packet and HDC materials will be circulated on or shortly after that date. The full hearing will occur May 19; the board reserved the right to permit additional briefs if new counsel appears for objectors.