STANDSTILL: John Hirschboeck, co-president of community nonprofit Alliance for a Livable Newport, argued for a six-month development moratorium in the city’s North End. He and other supporters say the city needs time to develop zoning requirements for the area, shown on the map he’s holding. / PBN PHOTO/DAVE HANSEN
Newport has enacted a six-month moratorium on development in its North End, including an innovation district intended to attract companies that might diversify its economy. It effectively puts a hold on some significant projects – including a $100 million redevelopment of the former Newport Grand Casino – so the city can get new zoning laws…
Subscriber-only Content
This article is available only to PBN Subscribers. To get unlimited access, please subscribe by following the link below.
Truth be told, the six month building moratorium was totally preventable. Sadly, since 2015, council members — including Ms Naplitano and Ms Ceglie chose an insider as city manager who never wanted to be city manager, allowed a zoning function to operate on autopilot, watched a city planning function go limp, and stood by silently as city staff wrecked a potentially valuable strategic private-public-partnership. Educated and outraged residents deserve this brief opportunity for Newport to implement long-overdue anti-sprawl zoning improvements that should boost your future net present value calculations.
Want to share this story? Click Here to purchase a link that allows anyone to read it on any device whether or not they are a subscriber.
Truth be told, the six month building moratorium was totally preventable. Sadly, since 2015, council members — including Ms Naplitano and Ms Ceglie chose an insider as city manager who never wanted to be city manager, allowed a zoning function to operate on autopilot, watched a city planning function go limp, and stood by silently as city staff wrecked a potentially valuable strategic private-public-partnership. Educated and outraged residents deserve this brief opportunity for Newport to implement long-overdue anti-sprawl zoning improvements that should boost your future net present value calculations.