At the center of the dispute is the William Tripp House, often portrayed by opponents as an untouchable colonial relic. The proposal is not a new build, but an addition to the existing 1,600-square-foot cottage. ft., 20% lot coverageSupporters note the finished cottage would remain smaller than neighboring houses and cover less of its lot than those properties. Supporters argue this undercuts the opposition’s current arguments centered on view protection and access. In Newport, even a cottage addition can turn into a battle over property rights, preservation — and whether private shoreline views from some of the neighborhood’s largest homes outweigh the rules.