Newport staff and consultants unveil zoning package to implement state-approved housing chapter

City planning staff and outside consultants presented a broad zoning-package framework designed to put Newport’s newly state‑approved housing chapter into local code and to respond to recent state changes that affect setbacks on undersized lots. Trish (planning staff) said the work responds to a council resolution directing staff to update the zoning code and that the housing chapter is “fully approved by the state” and now needs matching zoning rules to be implemented. Peter Friedrichs, a consultant with Libra, described three parts of the package: immediate changes driven by state law, core zoning to allow more “missing‑middle” housing, and deeper code updates that require more public vetting.

The proposals include new conditional allowances for two‑ and three‑family homes, townhouse and limited multifamily options tied to conditions such as homeownership and energy‑efficiency, and targeted changes to commercial/industrial zones to permit residential uses where heavy industry is no longer appropriate. Consultant Peter Friedrichs said the goal is to add modest housing and “respect that history” of Newport while avoiding out‑of‑context development. Staff said the ordinance packet will be advertised (publication scheduled Feb. 25) and that the council should see first readings in March; formal ordinance adoption and mapping decisions would follow public notice, planning‑board review and council action.