Board approves guest-house conversion at 404 Thames Street with condition to secure parking lease

The Newport Zoning Board unanimously granted Worldview Graphics Inc. a special-use permit and a parking variance to allow a guest-house conversion at 404 Thames Street, subject to conditions including maintaining an annual lease for at least one parking space at Brown & Howard Wharf and providing evidence of an on-site manager arrangement.

Attorney William Anthony Jr. told the board the property has historically been used for rentals and that his client “has procured a leased parking space at the Brown And Howard Marina, which is in effect across the street from the property itself.” Land-use expert Nancy Latender, testifying as a qualified professional, said, “Except for the one parking space that is being requested, this proposal meets all of the applicable development standards for the special use permit.” Board members debated whether requiring the annual lease and lease proof should be a condition; the board ultimately included a condition to provide annual proof of parking lease and tenant-lease evidence for the on-site manager as part of the approval.

Russ Johnson moved to adopt the staff findings and conditions, the motion was seconded, and the board voted 5–0 to approve. The decision requires construction or operational changes to commence and be substantially complete within 12 months or an approved extension be filed; outstanding notice invoices must be paid before the decision is recorded.