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Commission approves porch replacement at 415 East 5th with paintable substitute-material conditions
Summary
The commission approved COA 2600513 for 415 East 5th, allowing replacement columns and balustrades in round profiles and permitting polyethylene or composite alternatives if paintable and painted; stair rails may be iron or composite while porch rails must be non-metal. Chair Kolb recused for familiarity with owners.
The Newport Historic Preservation Commission approved a certificate of appropriateness for 415 East 5th on July 9, finding the proposed work consistent with design guidelines and placing conditions on materials and finishes.
Staff reported the existing porch was a later reproduction (1991) on an 1890s two‑story Queen Anne house and documented rot and instability in the porch elements. Jennifer Williams, staff, summarized guidelines that "columns and railings of metal or synthetic materials shall not be used for porches" but said substitute materials may be permitted when the original is gone and a realistic appearance can be achieved. Homeowner Karen Thomas described multiple failures of replaced wood railings and said the couple wanted a durable, safe solution so older relatives could visit. "We want something where we could live in place," Thomas said.
A commissioner moved to approve COA 2600513 with conditions that replaced columns be round, that polyethylene be allowed as an alternate material only if paintable and painted, that porch rails be concrete or polyethylene composite (paintable), and that iron or composite be allowed for stairs but not for the porch balustrade itself. The motion passed in roll call; the chair had recused earlier from this item because of a familiarity with the property owners. Staff said it would follow up with the applicants on next steps by the end of the week.
