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Commission tables paint-removal decision at 914 Central, approves 48-inch fence
Summary
Owners painted an unpainted masonry facade and installed an approximately 48-inch fence without a COA. The commission tabled the paint-removal decision pending cost/impact information and approved the 48-inch fence due to its siting on a wall and zoning flexibility.
The Newport Historic Preservation Commission on [date] tabled a request about removal of paint from previously unpainted masonry at 914 Central Avenue while approving an approximately 48-inch metal fence that the owners installed without prior certificate-of-appropriateness approval.
Staff told the commission that the Popes (Christopher and Pamela) purchased the house in May 2025, repainted the north facade that had not previously been painted and installed a metal fence roughly 48 inches high. The staff report cited the design review guidelines that prohibit painting previously unpainted masonry and noted a prior commission case that required paint removal. Staff said it sent a notice of violation by certified mail on May 11 and advised the owners the 48-inch fence was taller than the 36-inch front-fence guideline typically approved by staff.
Pamela Pope addressed the commission and said she had walked the historic district and did not understand the prohibition: “We never ever thought that we couldn't paint that side of the house.” The owner and the applicant said they were unaware of the specific restriction.
Darren Anderson of Anderson Restoration described peel‑away products and a neutralization process that can remove paint from masonry but said the work is arduous and can require scaffolding and significant cost. Commissioners and staff discussed cost, the condition of the underlying brick and whether paint removal would worsen masonry without prior masonry rehabilitation.
The commission voted to table the decision about paint removal and asked the applicants to obtain cost estimates and to permit exploratory test patches so the commission can assess the effect on the masonry. At the same meeting the commission approved the roughly 48-inch fence, concluding that the fence, sited atop a low wall and already in place, would not cause a significant negative impact to the property or the Buena Vista local historic district; staff will provide COA paperwork for the fence.
The commission asked staff to work with the applicants on masonry restoration vendor recommendations and follow up with the applicants on the paint-removal cost estimates and test results.
