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Commission limits Toll House fixes after owner alters historic fabric without approval
Summary
The commission approved only limited roof and foundation repairs for the Overbrook Farms Toll House after the owner removed original siding and replaced windows and doors without prior approval.
The Baltimore County Landmarks Preservation Commission reviewed a correction notice for the Toll House at 13822 York Road (Overbrook Farms LLC), found evidence of multiple unpermitted exterior changes, approved limited emergency repairs and required the property owner to submit full documentation before other work may proceed.
Staff told the commission the circa-1791.5 vernacular Toll House had its original German siding removed from the front facade on May 15; the owner installed new Dutch lap siding and replaced multiple windows without prior LPC approval. Staff’s packet documented the changes and recommended denying several of the window and door replacements due to lack of evidence they were in-kind, approving roof recoating or in-kind replacement, and approving foundation repointing only after submission of mortar composition specifications and adherence to the National Park Service technical brief on repointing.
Commissioner Ed (surname not specified) urged the commission to require the owner to restore the front porch/railing to previous historic appearance or to documented historic evidence. Commissioners also emphasized repeated attempts to tell the owner to stop work and that staff had reported the matter to code enforcement earlier.
After discussion the commission adopted staff-recommended limits with an amendment: it approved the standing-seam roof recoat or in-kind replacement and required mortaring and repointing follow National Park Service guidance, denied the questionable window and door replacements on the stone and concrete-block additions pending documentation, and required the owner to return to the LPC with complete drawings and evidence of historic window dimensions by September. The commission instructed staff to refer the matter to code enforcement if the owner did not comply.
