Newport Historic District Commission Meeting – June 11, 2026

The Newport Historic District Commission convened on Thursday, June 11, 2026, at 11:30 AM. Seven members were present (Deanna Amarello, Kelly Moran, Frank Bala, Ray Goddard, Bill Finley, Brooke Richter, Jen Dontremont) with two absences (Jim Madsen, Ben Willett), establishing a quorum. The commission reviewed minutes from prior meetings, approved consent items, and heard seven full agenda items covering accessory structures, roof materials, facade alterations, and signage.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes of April 14, 2026 – Approved as presented. (Motion, second, unanimous aye).
• Minutes of May 12, 2026 – Approved with a correction to C1 (719 Bellevue Avenue) per transcript review. (Motion, second, unanimous aye).
• Acceptance of Staff Findings of Fact – Approved for all applications on the agenda. (Motion, second, unanimous aye).
• N1 – 260 Ocean Avenue – Approved as presented, citing Newport Standards 17 TAC 80060 B1 and B2. (Motion, second, unanimous aye).
• N5 – 320 Harrison Avenue – Approved as presented, citing same standards. (Motion, second, unanimous aye).

Discussion Items

A1 – Flurry Properties LLC (1 Cottage Street) – Reconsideration of a previously approved single-bay garage and denial of a pool. Applicant’s counsel (Jay Russell Jackson) explained they would abandon the garage approval in exchange for approval of the pool. Commission questioned the impact on the historic district and lot coverage. Commissioner Bala expressed concern that pools tend to expand and are not characteristic of the neighborhood. Commissioner Finley noted the removal of the garage improved the proposal. After discussion, the commission voted to reconsider and approve the pool, citing Newport Standard 17 TAC 80 060 A1 through A7. (Motion to reconsider: aye unanimously. Motion to approve pool: aye unanimously). The garage approval was forfeited.

A2 – Diane Moore (90 Rhode Island Avenue) – Request to replace red slate roof with gray ready slate because red is no longer manufactured. Applicant stated the existing red asphalt roof on the rear would remain and some salvaged red slate might be incorporated, though that was deemed conjectural. Commission expressed support for all-gray ready slate without mixing. Approved with motion citing standards 17 TAC 80 060 A1–A7. (Motion, second, unanimous aye).

C1 – City of Newport / Newport Historical Society (0 Thames Street) – Continuation from May meeting for enclosing the front arcade with glass, ADA ramp, signage, and banners. Applicant (Rebecca Bertrand) and architect (Thad Siemasko) presented revised plans removing spandrel glass and using clear, recessed glazing. Commissioners were divided: some found the design too commercial and inappropriate for a National Historic Landmark, others supported it as tasteful and reversible. Commissioner Dontremont suggested enclosing only one arch to preserve the open arcade feel. After further debate, the commission voted to schedule a design review committee meeting and continue the full application to July 14, 2026. (Motion for design review: aye unanimously. Motion to continue: aye unanimously).

C2 – Sean Burns (6 Catsman Place) – Request to add a covered wood frame front porch, replace existing stairs, and alter fenestration. Applicant’s representative (Kevin Connery) presented revisions substituting wood trim for PVC, adding railings and architectural details. Commission supported the changes. Approved citing Newport Standard 17 TAC 80 060 B1. (Motion, second, unanimous aye).

Heather Shepurkowski (22nd Street) – Request to replace wood shingle roof with asphalt shingles due to fire safety concerns (previous fire damage to adjacent properties). Applicant described traumatic fires and argued all neighboring roofs are asphalt. Commission expressed sympathy but determined wood shingles are a character-defining feature for the contributing structure. Preservation planner noted that codes and guidance require replacement in kind. Commission recommended using fire-retardant wood shingles and approved with a condition to replace in kind with wood shingles, citing standards 17 TAC 80 060 A1, A2, A4, A5, A7. (Motion, second, unanimous aye).

Reflections LLC (111 Ocean Avenue) – Request to replace failing stucco with wood siding (shou sugi ban), add a green roof, rear stair, and alter windows. Applicant (Spencer Alexander) argued the stucco is not a defining feature and cited deterioration and compatibility. Preservation planner recommended denial of siding change because the stucco is integral to the building’s international style. Commission was split; after discussion, the application was split into Part A (siding) and Part B (green roof, rear stair, window/door changes). Part B was approved (motion, second, unanimous aye). Part A was continued to July 14, 2026 to allow further design exploration (motion, second, unanimous aye).

Thomas Wool (77 K Street) – Request to convert a contributing garage (auto house) into a two-story ADU. Preservation planner recommended denial, stating the proposal would significantly alter the structure’s size, scale, massing, and materials, rendering it unrecognizable. Commission concurred and continued the application to July 14, 2026 for an alternate plan. (Motion, second, unanimous aye).

Newport Community Church (0 Toro Street) – Request to replace exterior drainage (scuppers, downspouts) with copper-anodized aluminum and replace the roof awning in copper. Applicant (Matthew Carker) noted cost constraints. Commission agreed the roof awning should remain copper to maintain character, but the drainage system could use the alternative material. Approved with condition: roof awning replaced in kind with copper; scuppers and downspouts with copper-anodized aluminum, citing standards 17 TAC 80 060 A1, A4, A7. (Motion, second, unanimous aye).

Key Outcomes

• Approved applications: N1 (260 Ocean Ave), N5 (320 Harrison Ave), A1 (1 Cottage St – pool approval with garage abandonment), A2 (90 Rhode Island Ave – gray ready slate roof), C2 (6 Catsman Place – porch), 22nd Street (wood shingle roof in kind), Part B of 111 Ocean Ave (green roof, stair, windows/doors), 0 Toro Street (drainage and roof awning as conditioned).
• Applications continued to July 14, 2026: C1 (0 Thames Street – vestibule/signage), Part A of 111 Ocean Ave (siding), 77 K Street (ADU conversion).
• Design review committee scheduled for 0 Thames Street.
• All certificates of appropriateness are valid for one year from approval date.