Commission approves rear-addition changes at 637 Monroe

The Newport Historic Preservation Commission on [date] voted to approve a certificate of appropriateness for work at 637 Monroe (HP2600285) that will remove part of a nonoriginal rear addition and construct a new rear addition aligned with the original footprint.

Staff presented Sanborn maps and photographs showing that a second-story buildup to the rear is nonhistoric and detailed guidance from the design review guidelines requiring additions to be compatible with original roof lines, trim and massing. Staff recommended use of brick masonry to match the original building.

Tobias Eisenlohren, attorney for the applicant, and principal Donnell Atun told the commission the work would replace nonhistoric materials with brick masonry consistent with the house. “What’s there now is relatively hideous, and nobody wants to to see that continue, especially me,” Atun said, describing the plan to remove nonoriginal material and bring new trim and brick into the addition.

Commissioners found the proposal consistent with the design review guidelines and the commission’s suggested findings. Commissioner [speaker 8] moved to approve the COA, the motion was seconded and the commission voted to approve. The commission directed staff to follow up with paperwork the next day.

The approval allows the applicant to demolish the nonoriginal portion of the rear addition and build the new second‑story portion in brick to match the house’s materials and massing; staff will provide COA paperwork and further instructions to the applicant.

The commission did not identify any additional conditions beyond conformity with the approved plans and the design review guidelines. The commission closed the public hearing on this item after the vote.