Newport panel approves shutters at 25 West 12th and green-lights matching shotgun-style infill at 27 and 29

The Newport Historic Preservation Commission unanimously approved three related certificates of appropriateness on Jan. 14, 2026, clearing the way for exterior work at 25 West 12th Street and infill construction at 27 and 29 West 12th Street.

Commission staff introduced the proposals as a coordinated effort to revitalize a block face that lost two buildings after a June 2025 fire that destroyed a two-story townhome at 29 West 12th and damaged adjacent properties. The applicant is proposing to reconstruct a row of shotgun-style houses to echo the neighborhood’s historic pattern while using modern materials where appropriate.

For 25 West 12th, the commission approved installation of shutters but did not approve adding a wood door overhang to the original building after the applicants reported discovering an original transom that they intend to preserve. "Upon taking down some of the outer covering from the house, we found that there were transoms on that house," applicant Patricia Lemaster told the commission, and she said the transoms have already been ordered for reinstallation. Staff had noted that the commission’s guidelines require some evidence of historic existence before allowing overhangs on contributing properties.

The commission also approved new-construction designs for 27 and 29 West 12th that the applicants said would mimic traditional shotgun proportions and align with the existing front facades. Applicant representatives said both parcels had been taken down to the foundation due to water and fire damage and would receive new foundations. Attorney Guillermo Hash and contractor Mike Sloan said the proposals call for Hardie (fiber-cement) siding, wood windows on the front facades, fiberglass front doors and shutters on the fronts, with vinyl permitted on side elevations.

Commissioners attached conditions to the approvals for 27 and 29, asking that the roof pitch match the adjoining structure at 25 West 12th and that the rhythm and spacing of doors and windows on the front facades align with 25. Staff requested that applicants work with staff on final overhang details and other refinements before construction proceeds. "We put the addition that the pitch of the roof matches the adjoining structure at 25 West 12th," a commissioner stated during the motion to approve 27 West 12th.

All three motions carried unanimously on roll-call votes. Commissioners voting yes were Commissioner Carter, Commissioner Crocker, Commissioner Fleckinger, Commissioner Palmer, Vice Chair Ramler and Chair Kolb.

Staff said applicants would receive follow-up information the next day and reminded the commission of administrative items, including the Certified Local Government (CLG) annual report due at the end of the month and upcoming events (Northern Kentucky restoration on April 25 and a tentative history crawl on Monmouth on June 4).

The approvals allow the applicants to proceed with design and permitting subject to the conditions noted; applicants and staff will finalize design details in subsequent review and follow-up communications.