<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=35xC2U_0vlvxEmH00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=35xC2U_0vlvxEmH00" width="1437" height="791" ><figcaption>City Zoning Officer Nick Armour addresses Newport City Council</figcaption></figure>The Newport City Council rejected a proposal Wednesday night to ban new short-term rentals in business zones. The decision followed a contentious debate over the city’s housing crisis and Airbnb’s impact on the local community.The ordinance, sponsored by Councilor Mark Aramli, aimed to prevent the conversion of existing housing units into short-term rentals in general business, waterfront business, and limited business districts. It failed in a 3-3 vote, with one council member absent.Proponents argued the measure was necessary to protect Newport’s dwindling housing stock and prioritize long-term residents over tourists. Holder said the city loses 20 to 30 housing units annually to short-term rental conversions.“When a patient is bleeding and we are bleeding our housing stock out, first thing you do is stop the bleeding. And that’s what this ordinance change is,” Aramli said.The proposal would not have affected existing short-term rentals or homeowners renting out rooms in their primary residences.“We have a situation right now if we do not pass an ordinance like this, it is not just the housing stock that is at risk from being taken over by Airbnb and short term rentals. It is the mom and pop retail shops, the restaurants, all of the little stores you see on Broadway, any commercial building, period,” said Councilor Aramli.Opponents, including several short-term rental owners who spoke during public comment, contended the ban would infringe on property rights and harm local businesses without guaranteeing more affordable housing.“Changing or stripping rights from the property owners who play by the rules because of a housing affordability issue plaguing the nation is not solving any problem other than helping the hotel associations and their friends,” said Sarah Adams, a Florida resident who owns a short-term rental in Newport’s waterfront business district.City Zoning Officer Nick Armour confirmed that eliminating guest houses in commercial zones would preserve some existing housing units but noted it’s difficult to predict exactly how many.The council’s split vote highlighted differing views on balancing tourism and housing needs in the coastal city of about 25,000 residents.Councilor Lynn Underwood Ceglie said she couldn’t support the measure without more evidence it would effectively address housing issues.“I need proof that this will actually do what we are wanting it to do,” Ceglie said. “I think that this is rather dangerous.”Councilor Jeanne-Marie Napolitano argued Newport’s housing challenges extend beyond city limits and require a regional approach.“I’m kind of tired of hearing about housing in Newport when in fact, there should be housing in the state of Rhode Island,” Napolitano said. “There’s acres and acres out in Portsmouth, acres and acres out in Middletown, and they don’t have the water problems that we have.”The failed vote doesn’t preclude the council from revisiting short-term rental regulations in the future. Holder indicated he may reintroduce a modified proposal at a later date.In other business, the council approved changes to zoning ordinances regarding lot coverage and patio heights. The amendments allow for slightly taller raised patios on larger residential properties while maintaining stricter limits in denser neighborhoods.</div></body>

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Newport City Council debates short-term rental ban in business zones

The Newport City Council rejected a proposal Wednesday night to ban new short-term rentals in business zones. The decision followed a contentious debate over the city’s housing crisis and Airbnb’s impact on the local community. The ordinance, sponsored by Councilor Mark Aramli, aimed to prevent the conversion of...