Historic preservation in Rhode Island local government
What Rhode Island city councils, county boards and school districts are deciding about historic preservation — plain-English summaries written from official agendas and minutes, updated as meetings happen.
98 Rhode Island meetings since 2024 covered historic preservation. Counts are directional — coverage varies by place and platform.
Places in Rhode Island with the most historic preservation activity
- New Shoreham, RI (29)
- City of Newport, RI (24)
- South Kingstown, RI (14)
- East Greenwich, RI (9)
- Coventry, RI (8)
- Middletown, RI (2)
- Richmond, RI (2)
- West Warwick, RI (2)
- Portsmouth, RI (2)
- Pawtucket, RI (2)
- Smithfield, RI (1)
- Barrington, RI (1)
Latest matching meetings
Commission reviews new home and fence applications
The Historic District Commission will consider two final applications regarding exterior construction. The body will review a request for a new single-family home and a request for a dumpster screening fence.
HDC to consider HVAC conduit amendment for 81 Old North Road
The Historic District Commission will review a request to change the routing of HVAC conduits at 81 Old North Road. The body will also continue discussions on stone wall regulations and the Oliver Watson Homestead Housing Project.
Commission will consider multiple historic property alteration applications
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…
Historic District Commission to review property alterations and new construction
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.
Planning Board will hear a major land development project for 345 Valley Road.
The Board will approve the June 10 minutes and consider a withdrawal request for SB Farm, LLC’s pending project at 913 Mitchell’s Lane. It will hold public hearings on several subdivision applications, including a major land development adding about 6,796 square feet at 345 Valley Road. The Board will also consider…
Commission to review demolition permits and discuss neglect ordinance
The Historic District Commission will hear final and conceptual proposals for exterior work, including demolition and construction at several properties, and will discuss a potential demolition by neglect ordinance.
Commission reviews historic displays and town house monument resolution
The Historic Preservation Commission is meeting to discuss updates to the town's driving tour map and bridge preservation goals. The body will also review specific historical display cases and a draft resolution for the First Coventry Town House Monument.
Historic District Commission reviews applications for Old North Road
The Historic District Commission will consider a request to amend a Certificate of Appropriateness and a new application for properties on Old North Road. The body will also continue discussions on stone wall regulations and the Matunuck Beach Historic Resource Survey.
Commission reviews four new sign applications and potential district expansion
The Historic District Commission will review applications for four new signs at various business and association locations. The body will also discuss the historical and architectural values of properties in Area 1 Map regarding a potential expansion of the Historic District.
Board to hear variance for 18 Barney St with lot coverage up to 61%
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…
Trust to discuss 2026 budget, Tug Hollow property, and hunting policy
The trust will discuss approval of minutes and invoices, receive standing reports, and consider new business including the fiscal year budget, Tug Hollow property site walk, and hunting policy updates. An executive session is scheduled for potential land acquisition.
Newport Historic District Commission to decide on 10 property alteration requests
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…
Commission to discuss new Demolition by Neglect Ordinance
The Historic District Commission will review several residential and commercial renovation applications. The body will also discuss the creation of a Demolition by Neglect Ordinance and a new information brochure.
Council to vote on $81.7M tax levy for FY 2026-2027
The Town Council will hold a work session to discuss a Form-Based Code on Old Tower Hill Road, then convene a regular session to consider appointments, consent agenda items (including police communication equipment purchase for $9,404.30), a public hearing on a liquor license transfer for Rachel's Café, and multiple…
Historic Preservation Commission reviews RI 250 events, driving tour, and plaque updates.
The Historic Preservation Commission will review updates on the draft driving tour, the first Coventry Town House plaque, and long-term preservation goals. Staff will also discuss preparations for Rhode Island’s 250th anniversary events, including a student art contest and public display case programming. The meeting…
Town Council will vote to ratify police and fire collective bargaining agreements
The council will consider and act on several items, including appointments to the Historic Preservation Commission and multiple public hearings on ordinance amendments, sewer rates, and flood hazard areas. It will also review and renew various local licenses for bingo, peddlers, mobile food trucks, and a sidewalk…
Historic District Commission to review roof and HVAC applications
The Historic District Commission will consider applications for exterior alterations at two properties. The body will also discuss stone wall protections and the Matunuck Beach Historic Resource Survey.
Decision on Casa Ladera LLC’s single‑family home application on Old Town Road
The Historic District Commission will consider an application from John Spier of Casa Ladera, LLC to build a single‑family dwelling on Plat 6, Lot 2‑3 of Old Town Road. The commission will also discuss the historical and architectural values of properties in Area 1 and the potential expansion of the historic district…
Thames Street restaurant expansion with dwelling unit up for variance vote
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…
Historic commission reviews property changes and discusses a demolition by neglect ordinance
The East Greenwich Historic District Commission will hold public hearings on three preservation applications, including conceptual plans for the St. Luke’s Church tower and garage reconstruction at 212 Marlborough Street. Members will also vote to approve a local historic tax credit for a property at 311 Marlborough…
Newport HDC to review city's 365 Thames St vestibule and signage project
The Historic District Commission will hear a reconsideration request for a garage and pool denial, and review 10 new applications and 1 continued application. The most notable item is the City of Newport's proposal to replace a glass wall and vestibule, install an ADA ramp, and update signage at 365 Thames St.
Town Council will discuss the Financial Town Referendum mailer and funding sources
The Barrington Town Council will meet on May 8, 2026 at 8:30 a.m. to consider two items. First, council members will discuss and act on information for the Financial Town Referendum (FTR) mailer and its funding sources. Second, they will consider a resolution honoring Barrington’s enslaved patriots and fallen soldiers…
Commission discusses 250th celebration and historic site updates
The Historic Preservation Commission will review updates on the Draft Driving Tour Map, conduct a Goals and Objectives Exercise, and plan for the 250th Celebration. They will also get updates on the Read Schoolhouse, a fallout shelter sign at the old police station, and a plaque for the First Coventry Town House.
Review of Casa Ladera LLC application to build a single‑family home on Old Town Road
The Historic District Commission will consider an application by John Spier of Casa Ladera, LLC to construct a single‑family dwelling on Plat 6, Lot 2‑3, Old Town Road. It will also review an application by the Solar Initiative for an electric car charging station and related signage at Plat 6, Lot 71, Fire #16 Old…
Historic District Commission to discuss stone wall protections and Matunuck Beach survey
The Historic District Commission will meet to discuss potential protections for stone walls and determine next steps for the Matunuck Beach Historic Resource Survey. The body will also address a public workshop regarding National Register Listing.
Zoning Board to consider yoga studio, guest house, and height variance requests
The Newport Zoning Board of Review will hold a regular meeting on April 20, 2026, to hear petitions for dimensional variances and special use permits. Notable items include a yoga studio at 283-287 Broadway, a guest house conversion at 5 Lees Wharf, and a greenhouse roof exceeding height limits at 1 Cherry Street…
Historic District Commission to review 15 applications for alterations to historic properties
The Newport Historic District Commission will consider nine new applications and six continued applications for alterations to contributing and non-contributing structures in the historic district. Items include renovations, additions, window replacements, roof changes, and pool house demolitions and construction.
Review of major residential projects on Main Street and Phenix Avenue
The Technical Review Committee will consider three development applications. The first is a historic restoration at 1190 Main Street in the Arctic Redevelopment Area, proposing 38 new residential units and parking on Weaver Street and McElroy. The second is a major land development on Phenix Avenue for 14 residential…
Historic District Commission to review home renovations and tax credits
The commission will hold hearings on five residential and commercial exterior modification requests. Additionally, the board will review two applications for local historic tax credits.
Final plan review for 77,000 sq ft self-storage on West Main Road
The Technical Review Committee is conducting a final plan review for a major land development: a 77,000 square foot self-storage facility at 1526 West Main Road. The application has already received preliminary plan approval from the Planning Board and final plan review from the Design Review Board. This meeting will…
Change of date for the May Historic Preservation Commission meeting
The Historic Preservation Commission will review several old‑business items, including an update to the draft driving‑tour map, goals and objectives, the town’s 250th anniversary celebration, a student art contest, and Read Schoolhouse updates. The commission will also consider changing the date of its May meeting. No…
HDC to discuss letter to Town Council on Oliver Watson Homestead Housing Project
The Historic District Commission will discuss and possibly act on a proposed letter to the Town Council regarding the Oliver Watson Homestead Housing Project. Other items include a discussion of potential protections for stone walls, next steps for the Matunuck Beach Historic Resource Survey, and preparation of a CLG…
Planning Board to consider changes to 36-unit development at 571 Main Street
The board will hold a public hearing on a request to modify the previously approved 36-unit residential development at 571 Main Street, including reconfiguring units and site design. Other business includes approving prior meeting minutes and reviewing minor changes to a credit union landscape plan and a hotel's…
Historic District Commission to review building applications and district expansion
The Historic District Commission will review three applications for exterior modifications and new construction. The commission will also discuss the historical and architectural values of properties in Area 1 Map regarding a potential expansion of the Historic District.
594-596 Thames St project seeks lot coverage and parking variances
The Zoning Board of Review will decide on a request to alter a nonconforming development at 594-596 Thames Street, including increasing lot coverage from 46% to 60.3% (50% allowed) and providing only 2 parking spaces instead of 12 required. The board will also hear appeals of zoning officer determinations for guest…
250th Committee discusses anniversary events and budget
The committee will discuss upcoming events for the town's 250th anniversary, including a speaker series, Fourth of July enhancement, a town beach party, and military history recognition with a monument. Budget topics include grants, donations, fundraising, and communication with legislators. Community outreach and…
Historic District Commission reviews 8 new applications for window repairs, additions
The Newport Historic District Commission's regular meeting includes eight new applications and four continued items for properties in the historic district. The commission will consider requests to replace windows, repair stoops, reconstruct additions, and enclose decks. One continued application has been withdrawn…
Town Council approves $152,240.78 payment voucher
The Portsmouth Town Council will consider its consent agenda, which includes Payment Voucher #1344 for $152,240.78 approved by the Finance Director, minutes from three committees, and renewal of a mobile food establishment license for The Perky Turkey LLC at 28 Prescott Ave. The Town Administrator will give updates on…
Historic Preservation Commission will review public comments on the Comprehensive Plan
The commission will consider updates to the town’s historic driving tour map and review goals and objectives for preservation. It will also discuss the town’s 250th anniversary celebration, the Read Schoolhouse project, long‑term preservation goals, and a student art contest. New business includes reviewing public…
Council approves February minutes and communication resolution C-26-06
The town council unanimously approved the consent agenda, including the February 18, 2026 meeting minutes and resolution C-26-06 supporting state school employee background check bills. Council members heard a report from the Historic Metcalf‑Franklin Farm Preservation Association detailing completed restorations…