Newport Comprehensive Land Use Plan - Existing Conditions | Page 166

Newport Comprehensive Land Use Plan
Section 106
Section 106 of the NHPA requires each federal agency to identify and assess the effects of their actions on historic
resources. The federal agency must consult with the appropriate state and local officials, Indian tribes, applicants for
federal assistance, and members of the public regarding their views on historic preservation.
Federal Historic Preservation Tax Credit
The Economic Recovery Act of 1981 established tax credit
programs where up to 25% of the restoration costs could
be credited towards income taxes. This program helped
fund the historic rehabilitation of many of the City's threeto-five family structures, and also led to the conversion of
rental units to condominiums.

State Preservation Programs

The city recognizes the
importance of their Historic
and Cultural assets. As a result,
there are no conflicts,
priorities, or policies that
would threaten these assets.
On the contrary, this document
capitalizes on the opportunity
to coordinate the protection of
these assets into other sections
of this plan, such as Chapter
14, Natural Hazards and
Climate Change.

Rhode Island Historical Preservation & Heritage
Commission
The Rhode Island Historical Preservation and Heritage
Commission (RIHPHC) has the responsibilities of
conducting a statewide survey of historic sites and places.
They are also responsible for recommending places of
local, state or national significance for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places; administering federal
grant-in-aids to National Register properties for acquisition or development; and developing state historic
preservation plans. The RIHPHC has identified, documented, and evaluated historic properties in four neighborhoods
of the City: the Kay/Catherine neighborhood, Old Beach neighborhood, the Broadway neighborhood, and
Harbor/Lower Thames Street neighborhood. In addition, four areas of Newport are federally registered National
Historic Landmark Districts and five additional areas are National Register Districts. The National Historic Landmark
Districts are: the Bellevue Avenue District (1976), Fort Adams District (1976), Newport District (1968), and the Ocean
Drive District (1976). The National Register Districts in Newport are: the Bellevue Avenue – Casino District (1972),
Fort Hamilton District (2001), Kay Street – Catherine Street – Old Beach Road District (1973), Ochre Point – Cliffs
District (1975), and the Southern Thames District (2008). The RIHPHC also plays a role in documenting archaeological
sites in the city.

Municipal Preservation Efforts
Newport Historic District Commission
In Newport, over half of the parcels and about 40% of the
city’s area are a part of the Historic District. The Newport
zoning ordinance designates the Newport Historic District
Commission (HDC) as the review authority for the City of
Newport on historic preservation. The HDC must review
and approve any new construction, exterior alteration, or
demolition of all structures on properties within the
Historic District or on a list of specified historic properties.
City of Newport Historic District Zoning
Enacted in 1964, Newport’s Historic District Zoning has the
following objectives: stabilize and improve property value,
preserve specific historical districts, foster civic beauty,
strengthen the local economy, and promote the use of such
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Historic Preservation is an
expensive endeavor, albeit one
that
worthwhile.
Newport’s
Theiszoning
of historic
districts or
2017
–
2021
Capital
properties regulates how
Improvement
Planmay
callsdevelop
for
property owners
$410,000
to
be
put
towards
their property. Without
historic
park restoration
throughin
reasonable
control, specifically
the
year
2021.
the form of regulations to
setbacks, lot area coverage, and
building heights, new
development may threaten the
integrity of historic areas. Future
efforts to establish historic
districts should be a collaborative
process between the City and
property owners.
Draft Existing Conditions (March 2016)