Judge: Neighborhood group cannot block Breakers center

A SUPERIOR COURT judge has ruled that the Bellevue Ochre Point Neighborhood Association cannot appeal the zoning board's decision to approve the proposed welcome center on the grounds of The Breakers in Newport, shown above in a rendering. / COURTESY PRESERVATION SOCIETY OF NEWPORT COUNTY AND EPSTEIN JOSLIN ARCHITECTS
A SUPERIOR COURT judge has ruled that the Bellevue Ochre Point Neighborhood Association cannot appeal the zoning board's decision to approve the proposed welcome center on the grounds of The Breakers in Newport, shown above in a rendering. / COURTESY PRESERVATION SOCIETY OF NEWPORT COUNTY AND EPSTEIN JOSLIN ARCHITECTS

NEWPORT – R.I. Superior Court Judge Bennett Gallo on Wednesday ruled against the Bellevue Ochre Point Neighborhood Association’s lawsuit opposing the welcome center planned for the grounds of The Breakers mansion.

According to court spokesman Craig N. Berke, Gallo’s decision from the bench ruled that the neighborhood group does not have legal standing as an aggrieved party to appeal the city zoning board’s decision to approve the proposed center.

The decision followed a separate ruling issued on July 18 regarding the Neighborhood Association’s lawsuit filed against the Preservation Society of Newport in March, claiming that the society’s welcome center plan violates a number of city zoning ordinance provisions.

Gallo’s July 18 ruling determined that the Newport zoning board has jurisdiction and authority to approve the welcome center proposes and granted the Preservation Society’s motion to dismiss the suit.

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The zoning board decision overturned a previous decision by the Newport Historic District Commission that had sought to block construction of the $4.2 million center.

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