Historic preservation staff outlines guidelines update, Monmouth overlay work and training reminders

At the conclusion of the special-call meeting on Aug. 27, Newport Historic Preservation Commission staff provided an update on several administrative and policy items the commission will address later in the year, including a scheduled review of updated design guidelines, work on a Monmouth street overlay, and reminders on training requirements for commissioners.

Staff said the city is working with a consultant on a reformatted and updated copy of the design review guidelines and will circulate the document for commissioner review; staff will also send a separate memo highlighting more conceptual items and suggested changes gathered from commissioners’ experience applying the current guidelines. The stated goal is to balance respect for historic materials and storefront proportions with flexibility that encourages investment and innovation in the downtown commercial area.

Staff said the city is developing the Monmouth overlay so that local districts are brought under a consistent ordinance and procedure: per staff, the current plan is for changes to come first before the Historic Preservation Commission, then Planning and Zoning, and finally the Board of Commissioners for final action. Staff solicited examples of commercial guidelines from commissioners and cited Covington, Over-the-Rhine, Nashville, Denver and Dinkytown in Minneapolis as models they had reviewed.

On training, staff reminded commissioners that each is required to complete one historic preservation training annually. Staff said the statewide preservation conference and NKY restoration weekend are approved trainings; staff will issue NAPC (National Alliance of Preservation Commissions) training links and will record attendance for the city’s annual report to the state.

Staff asked commissioners to forward certificates of completion for any trainings they take; staff said they would follow up by email to confirm attendance lists for past events. The updates concluded without further public hearing items on the agenda.