A MOTION TO AUTHORIZE the Town Manager to sign all the necessary documentation, after solicitor review, to authorize receipt of a grant from the Rhode Island Historical Preservation and Heritage Commission (RIHPHC) in the amount of $15,000.
In March of 2026, the Community Development Department submitted an application to RIHPHC for a Certified Local Government grant. The grant will allow the Town of Narragansett to seek assistance from a qualified consultant to complete a comprehensive review and revision of the existing Historic District Preservation Standards and Guidelines. The Town's existing standards and guidelines are outdated and do not reflect the use of modern building materials and construction methods, nor do they address development pressures and impacts related to climate change and the Town's exposure to a coastal environment.
This grant will fund a thorough update of the existing standards and guidelines and administrative approval criteria. Revisions will help establish clear standards for the use of modern materials, building design requirements, and appropriate alterations within the local historic districts. The result of updating the existing guidelines will be a more practical resource that improves accessibility and transparency for applicants while supporting consistent and effective decision-making by the Town's Historic District Commission.
The grant parameters do not call for a local match, and no Town funds are required.