Newport Comprehensive Land Use Plan - Existing Conditions | Page 32

Newport Comprehensive Land Use Plan
Because Newport is substantially developed, capacity for new development on vacant land is limited and new
development will likely occur primarily as redevelopment on a case by case basis. As a result, future year round
population will likely remain relatively stable with modest fluctuations and future land use patterns will largely
resemble the city’s existing conditions identified in the table below. The only possible deviation might occur in the
city’s north end, if economic diversification and community development efforts are successful. However, even this
change would largely be in the relative proportions of uses in this area, as opposed to major increases or decreases in
resident populations over the course of the plan horizon. In addition, these changes will take years to implement,
therefore impacts can be phased and programmed with minimal conflict from a land use and/or population
perspective.
Table 3-1 – City of Newport Existing Land Use Distribution
Use

Acres

Percentage

Commercial

246.5

5%

Utility

149.1

3%

Institutional

289

6%

Waterfront Business

77.1

2%

High-Density Residential

28.6

1%

Medium-Density Residential

1,141.3

25%

Low-Density Residential

1,268.1

28%

Open space / Recreational

809.4

18%

Public

96.74

2%

Federal

386.62

8%

State

69.67

2%

Source: City of Newport, RI

Listed below is a complete description of the existing land use categories shown on Map 3-1.

Commercial
While the North End Commercial neighborhood has
Specific uses within the Commercial
the largest geographic area of commercial land, it
area include retail, shopping centers,
currently lies underutilized. The commercial uses in
offices, guest facilities, restaurants, etc.
this neighborhood are currently big box chains and a
The most intensive commercial land
casino, both surrounded by large parking lots. These
uses are generally located in areas with
developments are contradictory to Newport’s dense,
adequate transportation infrastructure,
pedestrian-friendly urban core.
such as the North End and Downtown
neighborhoods. The North End
Commercial neighborhood contains the largest geographic area of future commercial uses. The established zoning in
the North End (CI, Commercial-Industrial) also allows industrial uses.

Page 3-4

Draft Existing Conditions (March 2016)