Zoning board approves parking and curb‑cut variances at 5 Tyler Street, with conditions

The Newport Zoning Board granted Samuel Hallowell a retroactive dimensional variance for parking and two curb cuts at 5 Tyler Street on July 27, voting 4–1. Hallowell told the board he revised his plan following prior feedback by widening an existing curb cut and adding a second 12‑foot curb cut to enable in‑and‑out access without driving over an unreinforced sidewalk area.

Staff produced an aerial image (2004) that showed a vehicle in the location historically, while staff and board members emphasized the need for a physical alteration permit and engineering approval for any curb‑cut work. The board approved the petition with two explicit additional conditions: the variance does not permit any part of a vehicle to be parked on a public sidewalk, and the petitioner must obtain required engineering/physical‑alteration permits from the city. The roll call recorded a 4–1 vote in favor, with one board member dissenting over neighborhood character concerns. The board cautioned the petitioner that enforcement and citations remain possible if vehicles overhang sidewalks.