Legislative intent
The intent of the Innovation Hub (IH) is to support new employment opportunities in diverse fields of high technologies; including, but not limited to: healthcare; advanced manufacturing; defense (underwater, maritime and cyber security); blue and green economy initiatives, ocean technologies ventures; resilience/climate change research and development; alternative energy research and development; and digital industries, in line with the economic development goals of the Comprehensive Plan. This is to be allowed in an appropriate mix with supportive housing, retail, recreation, cultural and open space, in a single development of one lot. The intent is to create a cohesive village center reflective of Newport's impressive history at the base of the Pell Bridge, near Naval Station Newport, while proposing new street layouts, urban and recreational spaces, and architecture and building types to reflect modern times and needs, including resiliency in a low-lying coastal area.
The IH district is meant to work with the city's Comprehensive Plan, as amended to incorporate the North End Urban Plan (NEUP) and the NEUP Design Guidelines, and shall provide for mixed-use based economic development, foster twenty-first (21 st ) century jobs and lifestyle choices, clear public benefits including open spaces, the realization of health benefits associated with more walkable and bikeable streets and paths, and greater connectivity within and between the city's neighborhoods and resources.
The boundaries of the IH district prevent adjacent residential and open space areas from overdevelopment and the elevated design standards protect and enhance Newport's unique natural, cultural, and scenic character. The area of the city that includes the IH district possesses major thoroughfares, public greenspaces, Naval Station Newport, historic resources, and large quantities of affordable housing in need of protection and enhancement. This is achieved through the provisions of this district.
Specific components of this intent include:
• To provide for economic development and employment opportunities in diverse fields, including those related to an innovation economy.
• To support the development of these diverse fields as incubator/accelerator type businesses along with their support subsectors and to support the continued growth and success of these uses.
• To provide live/work opportunities for professionals, business owners, workforce and makers.
• To provide, as amenities to the primary functions, a multimodal district that allows for a mix of housing, recreation and a range of publicly-accessible, populated open spaces in the form of small pocket parks, trail corridors, and urban plazas that serve as amenities not only for the district, but also the surrounding areas.
• To support existing surrounding residential areas.
• To encourage, guide and direct development in the North End and ensure that the character presented in the city's Comprehensive Plan is maintained, and that mixed uses provide for the health and growth of the area.
• To utilize the area's approved NEUP Design Guidelines to have outstanding design associated with all forms of site and architectural design of new developments or substantial redevelopments.
• To foster high density, mixed-use development, and to deter: "suburban-type" shopping centers; big box store developments; low-rise developments that emphasize parking; developments that are large-scale and single-use or stand-alone single-use, including detached single-family dwellings.
• To promote pedestrian activity on streets, with easy multimodal access from surrounding neighborhoods.
• To promote a city that is resilient to climate change impacts and is environmentally sustainable, inclusive and accessible to all.
(Ord. 2021-24, § 1, 9-8-2021)