Newport Changes Historic Guidelines To Protect Against Flooding

NEWPORT, RI — The city of Newport is taking steps to protect historic homes and neighborhoods from the dangers of rising sea levels. Earlier this week, the city's Historic District Commission voted to change design guidelines to raise the buildings while preserving history.

"Resiliency to climate change – and specifically the threat posed by rising sea levels – is a fundamental component to the City’s long-term historic preservation goals, and these guidelines speak to that," said Helen Johnson, Newport’s Historic Preservation planner. "For the last several years, we’ve been exploring how rising sea levels are projected to impact some of our most historically significant and environmentally sensitive neighborhoods. And while we can’t control the tides, we can influence how we respond as a community. By adopting these design guidelines, we’re not only better protecting ourselves and our neighbors from sea level rise, but we’re also doing our part to ensure that the historic fabric that has made Newport what it is today is given a chance to endure for future generations to enjoy."

Under he new guidelines, owners of the historic properties that are in the FEMA Flood Zone can now apply to raise the structure, as long as certain guidelines are met. Applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis, weighing various factors.

Whenever possible, homeowners will be asked to use existing materials to complete the changes, ensuring that historic features are protected.

"Ultimately, this Policy Statement gives the Historic District Commission a tool to guide the inevitable conversation and decision process when a Newport homeowner in a flood zone applies to elevate their historic building," Andy Bjork, the commission's chair, said. "Our process was deliberate and thorough. It included community preservation organizations, local architects, city officials and the general public. We learned and shared ideas with other historic cities dealing with the same concerns – Charleston, South Carolina, Annapolis, Maryland and Nantucket, Massachusetts. I am personally pleased with our Commission’s support and acknowledgement of climate change reality ant their commitment to take the necessary steps to preserve historic properties in the face of this real and present threat."

Flooding is a common issue in Newport's low-lying areas, partially because parts of the city were built on top of filled-in marshland. Recent hurricanes, severe storms and high tides have only made the issue worse.

"Our goal in putting forth these guidelines is to provide homeowners with a clear understanding of what we’ll be looking at as it relates to elevation requests," Johnson continued. "In some cases, elevation may not be the best option, however we also recognize that for many homes in some of the City’s more vulnerable areas, historic elevation is the best route to preservation."

More information on the new guidelines is available on the city's website.