On Wednesday evening the City Council will be conducting interviews with the six applicants to the Planning Board. There are two vacancies, and it is a priority to fill them so that the Board is able to function effectively. These interviews are open to the public, and I invite you to listen in to the questions and discussion from the Council.
The Planning Board is an appointed body of Newport residents responsible for overseeing land use in the City and is a resource to conduct policy-related research and provide recommendations for the City Council. The Board reviews zoning amendments to ensure they follow the Comprehensive Land Use Plan and provides recommendations to the City Council. They also participate in the Development Plan Review process to provide recommendations to the Zoning Board on development applications that are not allowed by right.
The Planning Board is not the only body with vacancies - more than half of Newport’s fifteen Boards and Commissions have open spots. These range from the Planning Board to Historic Cemetery Advisory Commission to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission. The Boards and Commissions do research, work with the community, and provide policy recommendations to the Council. If you are looking for ways to be more involved in City government and policy, I urge you to consider applying to one of these bodies; they are a crucial element of an effective local government.