In this newsletter I will focus on local and state government actions that affect our neighborhoods. Our neighborhoods are vibrant and walkable when our residents and businesses co-exist and strengthen the fabric of our community. Our neighborhoods are strengthened when our locals can afford to rent or buy homes here and grow roots in our community. To ensure that our neighborhoods grow to benefit our neighbors, we in government must take the necessary steps to shape the growth of our community – that can happen via zoning and business regulation.
This week's City Council meeting begins with a public hearing on proposed zoning amendments on Broadway. Some of the businesses on Broadway in the Residential District are petitioning to have their individual lots rezoned to as Limited Business – this would amend the City zoning regulations to reflect the built environment. As part of this application process, the Planning Board reviewed this proposal and is in favor of the change – with conditions. In Newport, we have long had neighborhoods with small businesses nestled in with residential neighbors, whether they’re a restaurant, convenience store, or auto mechanic. Having small businesses as a part of the fabric of our neighborhoods is a big part of what gives Newport its small-city charm. I believe that it makes sense to have our zoning reflect what our City looks like and what we want it to continue to look like.
Governor McKee recently vetoed a bill that would have required short-term rentals to register with the Department of Business Regulation – allowing the State to aid municipalities in tracking and regulating the use of homes as short-term rentals across the State. Here in Newport, we have been doing our best to maintain a registry but having a State registry would significantly improve our ability to regulate and enforce laws around short-term rentals. Newport gives so much to the State through our hospitality taxes and rarely asks for the State to step in and help us. I believe that it is the State's duty to help curb the proliferation of short-term rentals in Newport and elsewhere. The role of the Department of Business Regulation is to regulate business across Rhode Island; short-term rentals are a business and must be treated that way.