Southgate-Thompson House landmark consideration tabled after owner notification issues

The Newport Historic Preservation Commission on June 24 voted to table consideration of HP 2600332, a proposed local landmark designation for 2324 East 3rd (the Southgate-Thompson House), so the property owner and members of the public could be properly notified and able to participate.

Chair Kolb reported that the property owners visited staff earlier that day and “were not aware of the entity requirement for, you know, an LLC,” and that staff had just received contact from the owners. Chair Kolb also said a member of the public who wished to speak was not present. To ensure due process, staff recommended the commission postpone the hearing so notices can be sent and, if required, the owner can have legal representation present.

A motion to table the item was made and seconded; the subsequent roll-call vote was recorded as Yes from Commissioners Carter, Crocker, Palmer, Spalding, Vice Chair Ramler and Chair Kolb, with Commissioner Fleckinger absent. The motion passed among those present.

Commissioners and staff discussed next steps: staff will send required notices to affected parties and the commission will re-notice the item for a future meeting. Chair Kolb said the Thompson-Southgate designation must proceed through the Board of Commissioners (and that all designations require two readings before that board) as part of the formal review path.

The meeting record does not identify who moved or seconded the tabling motion by name; those details were not specified on the record.