Planning board forwards positive opinion on five zoning-ordinance changes to city council

Planning staff presented a package of five zoning-ordinance amendments and the Newport Planning Board voted to forward a positive opinion of consistency with the comprehensive plan to the City Council.

Staff member Trish summarized the proposed changes: add two alternates to the zoning board of review; create dimensional and proportionality standards for R4 and R6 districts aligned with the housing plan; change minimum front setbacks in R3 from 0 to 5 feet; create objective dimensional standards for decks (allowing first-floor decks within setbacks, limiting roof decks and large upper-floor decks); and create a permitting process for longer temporary uses between two weeks and six months. "The changes begin the process of aligning the new housing chapter with the zoning code and continue the process of updating our zoning regulations to comply with state statutes," staff said.

Board members discussed the goals these amendments serve — orderly growth, neighborhood character, and clearer objective criteria to satisfy changed state law. Members generally supported staff’s recommendation and accepted the staff report as findings of fact before making the advisory motion to send a positive consistency opinion to the council. The board’s action is advisory; final adoption remains with City Council and subsequent map changes will occur through future zoning-map updates.