Councilors have given the owner of this property at 119 Spring St. until January to begin repairs to the property. (Staff Photo)
NEWPORT, R.I. – In an effort to avoid the mistakes of the past, city councilors last night voted unanimously to give the owner of a rundown Spring Street property until January to begin making repairs to the house.
The resolution stopped short of mandating any specific repairs to 119 Spring St. but councilors said they took the step in order to prevent the house from falling into further disrepair.
Located in the heart of the Historic Hill, the 18th Century black clapboard colonial was identified by the Historic District Commission last month as appearing to have entered into a state of Demolition by Neglect. Once given such a designation, it’s up to the council whether they should step in to determine the best course of action for the property.
According to City Manager Edward F. Lavallee, at this point, he does not believe the house has reached a state where the council should take any aggressive action.
But Councilor Stephen R. Coyne disagreed.
“I think the council has a bad history – a sordid history – when it comes to Demolition by Neglect,” he said.
He was referring, of course, to past instances where the city allowed properties to deteriorate to the point of becoming essentially tinder boxes in what has been recognized as arguably the most significant collection of colonial homes in the country.
“I recommend that the council take a stand on this issue,” Coyne added.
In concept, councilors seemed to agree. But just how far they should go became a sticking point for several members. “We’re talking first and foremost about property rights,” Councilor Justin S. McLaughlin said. Any time the council takes an action to intervene in how someone maintains their property, they should be certain of the severity of the problem, he said.
Councilor Stephen C. Waluk agreed. “As a councilor, as a human being, I am hesitant to stand in judgment of how someone keeps up their property,” he said, adding “It’s a very slippery slope.”
As we reported here last week, Paige Bronk, director of planning, zoning, and inspections for the city said that the HDC action was not the first time the city has taken an interest in the black clapboard colonial. Two separate letters written by Planning Department staff relating to the condition of the property have been sent out, citing the property for overgrown vegetation and debris, and the condition of the exterior wood and windows.
He reiterated that the city has only conducted an exterior evaluation of the property, and that his office has recently been in touch with the owner of the property who he said, has committed to seeing that repairs are completed.
Councilor Coyne also noted that there is a tenant in the building, and that if there are repairs that need to be made, they should be done so with the consideration that the owner of the property is receiving rental income.
In the end, the owner was given until the first council meeting in January to lay out plans with the city administration for the necessary repairs to the property, including repairing or replacing windows and cutting back overgrown vegetation.
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Newport, RI
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A fair outcome…
Kudos to the city council for taking a stand! While this house might not be as in bad shape as some others around town, it was certainly getting there – and there shouldn’t have to be holes in the roof for the city to finally take action.
Having lived across from this house for several years, I know this property well. We would see all sorts of critters coming in and out of the property, not to mention the dark condition it’s in is practically inviting vandals.
While I don’t think the city should make a habit out of going in and telling people to fix up their homes, with the Hill’s home being so close together, I think at some point it just becomes a safety issue for the entire community.