by Susan Allen, in the Newport Dispatch

NEWPORT –– The roughly 40 people gathered Monday night at the Goodrich Memorial Library voiced strong support for the newly released draft Master Plan, although many had questions about everything from the potential cost for taxpayers to which projects might go first if the plan is implemented.

This was the second forum for public comment about the proposed plan, which was drafted by VHB, an engineering and planning firm, in partnership with Newport Downtown Development and city staff. The City Council heard a report on the plan at its Nov. 18 meeting and allowed public input.

A 10-day comment period that kicked off following that meeting officially ends on Wednesday at noon, at which point Newport Downtown Development will begin compiling suggestions and concerns to submit to VHB to incorporate into its final draft. NDD Executive Director Rick Ufford-Chase said people could still comment on the plan, but that input might not be included in the final proposal. He said 120 people have completed the NDD survey to date.

The Council is expected to act on the final plan at its Dec. 16 meeting. Many of the questions at Monday’s forum touched on the lack of housing in the city, and its impact on businesses.

“What we have here is what people call the missing middle,” said Ufford-Chase. He said there are programs to support low-income housing, and higher income buyers can afford the rising cost of homes. But those in the middle can’t find adequate housing – for rent or purchase – that they can afford.

Dave Laforce, co-owner of Built by Newport, said his firm has 60 employees and has been trying to fill 12 open positions for nine months. He said qualified candidates cannot find housing and turn down the job offer.

Newport resident Chris Mooney, who works remotely for the Agency of Transportation, said the problem is statewide. He said the agency can’t fill relatively high-paying jobs because of a lack of housing for employees.

While he understood the need for housing, resident Terry Lucas said he would have expected the plan to be more focused on business and economic growth initially, rather than housing. He also questioned the report’s mention in four places of “deed restrictions” on housing.

“Those are scary words to say,” he said. “That would make me want to run, not invest.”  

Ufford-Chase and Laforce said the plan creates a mix of pro-growth and housing proposals, both of which are needed to restore Newport’s vibrancy.

Eleanor Léger of Eden Specialty Ciders on Main Street echoed that sentiment. She said there is not enough traffic in downtown Newport to support businesses, adding, “This is an existential problem now.”

Laforce said the projects would involve public-private partnerships, with the town’s infrastructure share funded through Tax Increment Financing (TIF). Responding to a question about taxpayer risk, Dr. Mohammad Malik said the greater risk was doing nothing, which would “allow the town to die.”

Laforce said if approved, the city will immediately apply for TIF approval because there are a limited number of slots available. He noted the success of TIF in other communities, including Burlington, St. Albans, Winooski, and predicted that other communities are also planning to apply. NDD has already started discussions with developers about potential projects.

He said the initial projects would probably be smaller, not one of the more complex developments. For example, he said, the plan for the vacant lot on Main Street would probably not be an early project.

Some attendees at the forum voiced hope that a commitment to the arts would be included in any final plan, and a concern that the small-town feel to Newport might be lost.

Support for senior housing was also expressed. Laforce said that is part of the plan because many seniors who want to move out of their large houses can’t find smaller homes, apartments or condos. If they find safe, affordable housing options, their original homes will become available for young families to purchase.

On another point, Newport resident Jay Ancel expressed opposition to proposed changes to the two Main Street courthouses, including renovations to create housing units in the historic buildings. He called that a “travesty,” adding, “Courthouses should be courthouses.” There was broad support for that viewpoint at the meeting.

Justin Laforce, Dave Laforce’s son, said he is the only member of his “friend group” who has stayed in Newport. But, he predicted, with the vibrancy created through the master plan, “They are going to come back. This will happen.”

“This is the younger generation,” Malik said after Justin Laforce spoke. “It’s really for them we are doing all this. They are leaving.”

A copy of the master plan can be found at https://www.discovernewportvt.com/master-plan/ along with a link to complete a survey about the proposals and more ways to comment. The plan includes information on TIF.