The City of Newport's Historic District Commission has taken a crucial step in safeguarding the architectural heritage of its historic neighborhoods from the increasing threat of rising sea levels. Updated guidelines for elevating historic buildings, officially adopted in 2020, are designed to address the pressing need for flood mitigation.
According to Jillian Chin, Preservation Planner for the City of Newport, the inspiration for the guideline revisions stemmed from the 2016 “Keeping History Above Water” conference by the Newport Restoration Foundation. The revised 2020 guidelines aimed to assuage fears that elevating historic buildings would harm the character of Newport’s historic districts by providing resources about design solutions that respect the integrity of the historic streetscapes.
“The guidelines were created to comply with the Secretary of Interior Standards and FEMA guidelines, but within the context of Newport’s local historic district ordinance and community values,” Chin notes.
The Historic District Commission (HDC) offers a Design Review Committee to help applicants navigate the design process. “Meetings have resulted in applicants understanding how to improve projects, usually leading to faster approval” says Chin.
Community feedback has been positive, particularly in the Point neighborhood, which is most vulnerable to sea-level rise. “The updated guidelines let the community know that we are actively tackling these issues and that their voices are being heard,” Chin explains. Residents have also expressed interest in small-scale flood mitigation measures, such as landscaping techniques and alternative materials, before pursuing building elevation.
By tailoring guidelines to local needs, Newport leads the way in creating resilient historic districts that can withstand the test of time—and rising tides.
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