NEWPORT-The Newport Planning Commission, after a lengthy discussion, on Tuesday, Sept. 27, approved mostly commercial zoning of the annexed Area 1 properties.

The zoning request is technically a recommendation from the city planners to the City of Newport's Board of Mayor and Aldermen. That board makes the final decision on whether to change the zoning of the annexed area.

Newly annexed properties automatically become R-1, low-density residential, until officially and properly zoned, according to the planning department.

Mark Robinson, Newport planner/zoning, building and codes compliance official, emphasized that with the new C-2 zoning, neither city not county taxes will rise.

Most of the properties in Area 1 are already operating as businesses. However, the planners made an exception for six properties, of which five are residences.

For more details, please see the latest edition of the Newport Plain Talk.