City of Newport, RI

Newport City Council Regular Meeting - August 26, 2026

The Newport City Council will hold its regular meeting on August 26, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. in Council Chambers. The agenda includes a consent calendar with special event permits, a communication on waterfront zoning amendments, several new and renewed entertainment and sidewalk café licenses, and appointments to boards. The Council will also consider resolutions on grant funding, a beach resilience plan contract, and traffic and field improvements.

• Waterfront Campus- Innovation Hub Zoning Amendments referred to Planning Board
• Authorization to pursue grants for Fire Watch Tower restoration at Fire Station No. 5
• Authorization to accept additional FHWA Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant funds
• Award of contract for Easton's Beach Resilience Plan, Phase 3 Schematic Design (RIMPA#494A and MPA#494B)
• Second readings on sewer service system, industrial pretreatment, and sewer service charges ordinance amendments

City Council 8-12-2026

Newport City Council Regular Meeting - August 12, 2026

The Newport City Council will hold its regular meeting on August 12, 2026, covering a consent calendar of special events, licenses, and appointments, followed by several action items including contract awards and grant acceptances. The council will also consider resolutions on traffic calming for Memorial Blvd., a public health vending machine, and a temporary advisory committee. After the council session, the board will convene as the License Commissioners to hear liquor license renewals and new entertainment license applications.

• New entertainment licenses: Gardiner House (24 Lee's Wharf), Midtown Race Club (255 Thames St.), Jo's American Bistro expansion (24 Memorial Blvd. West)
• Award of Bid #2026-PS-019 – Historic Gravestone Restoration and Re-Setting
• Accept $8,825 and $16,107 DOJ Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants
• Resolution requesting traffic calming, pedestrian safety, and Complete Streets improvements for Memorial Blvd.
• Resolution authorizing placement of Public Health Vending Machine Program

Historic District Commission Regular Meeting

The Newport Historic District Commission will hold a regular meeting to review continued and new applications for changes to historic properties, including garage conversions, additions, and exterior alterations. The agenda also includes approval of minutes, communications, and an invitation from the Utilities Department.

• Continued application #HDC-26-69: convert garage to accessory dwelling unit at 77 Kay St
• New application #HDC-26-87: replace bulkhead with metal diamond-plated door at 39 Elm St
• New application #HDC-26-91: expand rear addition at 59 Bridge St
• New application #HDC-26-93: multiple alterations at 21 Clay St including dormers, chimney removal, and roof replacement
• New application #HDC-26-97: construct tennis court and other changes at 562 Bellevue Ave

Newport City Council Regular Meeting - August 12, 2026

The Newport City Council will consider several new and expanded entertainment licenses, including for Gardiner House and Midtown Race Club, and vote on accepting over $24,000 in federal justice assistance grants. Other items include a resolution requesting traffic calming on Memorial Blvd., a proposal for a public health vending machine, and approval of multiple special event permits and banner licenses.

• New entertainment license for Gardiner House, 24 Lee's Wharf (first hearing)
• New entertainment license for Midtown Race Club, 255 Thames St. (first hearing)
• Expansion of entertainment hours for Jo's American Bistro, 24 Memorial Blvd. West (first hearing)
• Authorization to accept $8,825 and $16,107 DOJ Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants
• Resolution requesting traffic calming, pedestrian safety and Complete Streets improvements for Memorial Blvd.

Historic District Commission Regular Meeting

The Historic District Commission will hold a regular meeting on August 11, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. in Council Chambers. The agenda includes approval of minutes from July 14, 2026, and action on one continued application and four new applications for exterior alterations to contributing properties. The commission will also hear an invitation to participate from the Utilities Department.

• Continued application #HDC-26-69: convert existing garage to accessory dwelling unit at 77 Kay St
• New application #HDC-26-87: replace bulkhead with metal door at 39 Elm St
• New application #HDC-26-91: expand rear addition at 59 Bridge St
• New application #HDC-26-93: multiple alterations including dormers, chimney removal, and roof replacement at 21 Clay St
• New application #HDC-26-97: construct outdoor tennis court and other changes at 562 Bellevue Ave

Comprehensive Plan: Community Open House

Planning Board Regular Meeting

Zoning Board of Review - Regular July 2026 Meeting

The Newport Zoning Board of Review will hear 12 residential zoning variance requests at its July 27, 2026 meeting, including requests to legalize non-compliant driveways, convert garages to bedrooms, and expand homes beyond allowed lot coverage. The board will also consider extension and withdrawal requests for pending applications.

• 12-month extension for 17 Bayview Avenue zoning case
• 12-month extension for 6 ½ & 8 Cross Street zoning case
• 9-month extension for 33 Corne Street zoning case
• Dimensional variance for 7 Malbone Road dormer addition (3' from property line vs 10' required)
• Dimensional variance for 153 Ruggles Avenue garage expansion and lot coverage increase (29.9% vs 20% allowed)

Waterfront Commission- Perotti Park & Harbor Master 7-21-26

Zoning Board of Review - Regular July 2026 Meeting

The Zoning Board of Review will consider several petitions for dimensional variances regarding home additions, parking spaces, and lot coverage. The board will also hear an appeal concerning driveway construction and vehicle reversing requirements on Barney Street.

• Appeal by The Collection at Barney, LLC regarding driveways at 18 Barney Street and 3 & 4 Barney Court
• Variance request for a dormer addition at 7 Malbone Road
• Variance request for home additions and garage expansion at 153 Ruggles Avenue
• Retroactive variance requests for parking spaces at 5 Tyler Street and 11 Tyler Street
• Variance request for a 1-story addition at 30 Poplar Street

City Council - Perotti Park & Harbor Master 7-21-26

Newport City Council Meeting

City Council - Perotti Park & Harbor Master Building

Newport City Council Joint Workshop with the Planning Board- Comprehensive Plan Review

Newport City Council Joint Workshop with the Planning Board- Comprehensive Plan Review

Newport City Council Meeting

Historic District Commission Regular Meeting

The Newport Historic District Commission will review several applications for alterations to historic properties. Items include new garages, pool structures, porch modifications, and conversions to accessory dwelling units. The board will also continue discussion of previously submitted projects. Decisions will be recorded in the meeting minutes.

• Application #HDC-26-78 – NewPort Architecture LLC seeks permission for a detached garage, pool, and pool house at 14 Leroy Ave (Non-contributing).
• Application #HDC-26-80 – Anne Ferraro requests replacement of a plaster front porch ceiling with wood beadboard at 96 Second St (Contributing).
• Application #HDC-26-81 – Robert Damiano & Linda Perry Piera propose converting a 2‑car garage into a primary suite and adding a 15’x19’‑6” garage at 6 Tompkins Ct (Non-contributing).
• Application #HDC-26-83 – Fleury Properties LLC seeks to construct a new front porch replicating the original at 1 Cottage St (Contributing).
• Application #HDC-26-84 – Jamie & Harmony Oschefski request reconstruction of an existing garage for a primary suite, reconfiguration of the front entry, and roofline alteration at 421 Gibbs Ave (Contributing).

Joint Workshop: Newport Planning Board & City Council

Historic District Commission Regular Meeting

The Historic District Commission will review several applications for property modifications in Newport. The board is deciding on requests for structural changes, additions, and material replacements for both contributing and non-contributing historic properties.

• 365 Thames St: Proposal to replace glass wall/vestibule, install ADA ramp, and update signage
• 77 Kay St: Application to convert a garage into a two-story accessory dwelling unit
• 14 Leroy Ave: Request to construct a detached garage, pool, and pool house
• 6 Tompkins Ct: Proposal to convert a 2-car garage to a primary suite and add a new garage
• 421 Gibbs Ave: Request to reconstruct a garage for a primary suite and alter the roofline

Newport City Council Regular Meeting - July 8, 2026

The Newport City Council will hold a public hearing on a Community Development Block Grant application for Mumford Manor at 39 Farewell Street. The agenda includes consent items such as special event permits, waste hauler license renewals, and commission resignations. Action items cover parking changes on South Baptist Street and Bridge Street, a Henderson Home Trust distribution, designating a parking lot as a transit hub, and accepting a $321,600 federal safety grant. The council will also receive a notice of a projected school budget deficit and vote on license renewals and appointments.

• Public hearing on CDBG application for Mumford Manor at 39 Farewell Street
• Accept $321,600 FHWA SS4A grant award for road safety
• Contract award for Station 1 Drinking Water Treatment Plant SCADA and PLC modernization
• Henderson Home Trust distribution for maintenance and reserves
• Notice of projected School Budget deficit from Superintendent

Newport City Council Regular Meeting - July 8, 2026

The council will hold a public hearing on a Community Development Block Grant application for Mumford Manor (39 Farewell Street). Other action items include ordinance revisions for parking on South Baptist Street and one-way designation on Bridge Street, acceptance of a $321,600 FHWA grant for safety, and a contract for water treatment plant SCADA modernization. The council will also receive a notice of projected school budget deficit and consider appointments to boards and commissions.

• Public hearing and action on CDBG application for Mumford Manor, 39 Farewell Street
• Notice of projected school budget deficit from Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain
• Authorization to accept $321,600 FHWA FY-24 SS4A grant award
• Ordinance revisions: parking prohibited on South Baptist Street and one-way on Bridge Street
• Electricity supply fixed rate contract and Station 1 water treatment plant SCADA modernization contract

Newport City Council Regular Meeting - June 24, 2026

The Newport City Council will vote on a resolution to adjust the non-owner occupied residential tax rate and consider multiple action items including large FEMA flood resiliency grants, contracts for software and services, and sidewalk improvements. The agenda also includes special event licenses, a sound variance public hearing, and appointments to city boards.

• Resolution to adjust non-owner occupied residential tax rate (Item #23)
• Authorization to seek $20M FEMA BRIC grant for South Easton's Pond Dam flood resiliency (Item #19)
• Authorization to seek $1.425M FEMA BRIC grant for Elizabeth Brook daylighting (Item #18)
• Bid award for Sidewalk Improvement Program 2026 (Item #16)
• Ordinance revision prohibiting parking on Russell Avenue (Item #11)

Zoning Board of Review - Regular June 2026 Meeting

The Newport Zoning Board of Review will hold a regular meeting on June 22, 2026, to consider several petitions for dimensional variances, extension requests, and a continued special use permit. The board will hear full hearing petitions for properties at 18 Barney Street, 153 Ruggles Avenue, and 32 Bayside Avenue, all seeking variances to increase lot coverage beyond allowed limits. Additionally, the board will vote on extension requests for 57 Marchant and 551 Thames Street, and a withdrawal for 2 Wheatland Court.

• Extension requests for 57 Marchant (6 months) and 551 Thames Street (12 months)
• Withdrawal of petition for 2 Wheatland Court by staff
• Full hearing: The Collection at Barney, LLC seeks variances for AC condenser and deck reconstruction at 18 Barney St, increasing lot coverage from 59% to 61% (45% allowed)
• Full hearing: Equity Investment Group seeks variances for rear addition and roof deck at 32 Bayside Ave, increasing lot coverage from 29.8% to 36.9% (28.48% allowed)
• Continued: 640 Thames Street, LLC requests special use permit and variance to convert dwelling to 5-bedroom guest house without parking; continued to July 27, 2026

Historic District Commission Regular Meeting

The Commission will consider five new applications, two action items (including reconsideration of a previously approved garage and pool denial), and three continued applications. Key proposals include converting a garage to an accessory dwelling unit at 77 Kay St, installing a pool and solar panels at 320 Harrison Ave, and a city-led project at 365 Thames St to modify the vestibule and signage.

• Application #HDC-26-69 to convert existing garage to two-story accessory dwelling unit at 77 Kay St (Contributing)
• Application #HDC-26-73 to add pergola, solar panels, and install swimming pool at 320 Harrison Ave (Non-Contributing)
• Application #HDC-26-70 to replace exterior drainage and copper awning roof at Newport Community Church, 0 Touro St (Contributing)
• Action item #HDC-26-25 reconsidering a previously approved garage and denial of pool at 1 Cottage St (Contributing)
• Continued application #HDC-26-53 by City of Newport for vestibule, ramp, and signage alterations at 365 Thames St (Contributing)

Newport City Council Regular Meeting - June 10, 2026

The Newport City Council will hold a regular meeting on June 10, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. in Council Chambers. The agenda includes a resolution to prohibit or limit additional hotel development, a proposal to establish a Housing Commission, and a presentation on solar development opportunities at school facilities. The consent calendar covers minutes, special event licenses, and a request to replant daffodil bulbs at Pell Bridge off-ramps.

• Resolution to prohibit or limit additional hotel development in Newport (Item 20)
• Resolution to establish a Housing Commission (Item 23)
• Presentation of proposal for solar development opportunities at Newport School facilities (Item 10)
• Award of contract for purchase of a police utility vehicle to replace totaled cruiser (Item 11)
• Resolution requesting a tree preservation landscaping ordinance (Item 21)

Newport City Council Special Meeting- School Budget Funding

Planning Board Regular Meeting

The Planning Board will consider a Development Plan Review for the adaptive reuse of the former Coggeshall School into 26 residential units and construction of three duplexes on adjacent lots. The applicant is requesting a Category 1 Special Use Permit, a parking variance, and a dimensional variance. Public comments including opposition have been submitted.

• Development Plan Review for Coggeshall School Adaptive Reuse & Duplexes (App. PLN-26-2)
• Adaptive reuse of former school into 26 multi-family units at 0 Van Zandt Ave
• Construction of three duplex buildings (2 units each) on merged lots at 0 Evarts St
• Requests: Category 1 Special Use Permit, parking variance, dimensional variance for dormers
• Public comment opposition submitted

Newport City Council Regular Meeting - May 27, 2026

The Newport City Council will consider the FY2027 operating budget, including a budget change sheet, appropriating ordinance, personnel ordinance, and tax levy resolution. The council will also receive a notice of a projected school budget deficit and a strategic fiscal recovery plan from the school superintendent. Other items include special event licenses, a new entertainment license for Chomp Kitchen & Drinks, and a contract for renovations to the Florence Gray Center.

• FY2027 Operating Budget with budget change sheet, appropriating ordinance, personnel ordinance, and tax levy resolution
• Notice of projected Newport Public Schools budget deficit and Strategic Fiscal Recovery Plan
• New entertainment license for Chomp Kitchen & Drinks at 111 Broadway (second hearing)
• Award of contract for renovations to the Florence Gray Center via Sourcewell cooperative purchasing
• Second reading of ordinance amending Section 10.24.010 to update parking prohibitions

Newport City Council Special Meeting - May 19, 2026

The Newport City Council will hold a special meeting to discuss and potentially act on the FY2027 Budget, which was previously tabled. The agenda includes a request to remove the budget from the table, followed by consideration of a budget change sheet, capital improvement schedule, civic support services, and first readings of an appropriating ordinance and a personnel ordinance.

• Request to remove from the table the FY2027 Budget
• FY2027 Budget discussion with Budget Change Sheet
• Proposed Capital Improvement Program Schedule
• Ordinance Appropriating Revenues (First Reading)
• Personnel Ordinance (First Reading)

Zoning Board of Review - Regular May Meeting

The Zoning Board of Review will hold public hearings on multiple variance and special use permit applications. A key item is a petition to expand a restaurant at 594-596 Thames Street into a two-story addition with a dwelling unit, requiring variances for lot coverage (60.3% vs 50% allowed) and parking. Other hearings include a remanded carriage house at 275 Harrison Avenue, a fast-food conversion at 7 Memorial Boulevard, and several smaller dimensional variances. The board will also consider continued items and approve minutes.

• 594-596 Thames St: variances for restaurant addition, dwelling unit, lot coverage to 60.3%, parking waiver
• 275 Harrison Ave: special use permit and variance for detached carriage house (remanded from court)
• 7 Memorial Blvd: special use permit to convert restaurant to fast-food with private dinner events
• 5 Tyler St: retroactive variance for undersized parking space (7.5' wide vs 9' required)
• 22 Newport Ave: dimensional variance for four tandem parking spaces on multi-family property