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Commission approves porch railing for McLaughlin house with wood-only condition
Summary
The Landmarks Preservation Commission approved a new porch railing and step repair for 115 McLaughlin Ave. in Lutherville on condition the railing be wood and existing turned cedar balusters be retained; commissioners noted the applicant will still need any required building permits.
Baltimore County's Landmarks Preservation Commission approved a porch-step repair and a new railing at 115 McLaughlin Ave., Lutherville, but required the railing components be wood and that existing turned cedar balusters (columns) remain.
The contributing 2—2-story frame dwelling, built about 1875 in the Downing Cottage style, sought in-kind repair of a 1-by-7 front porch step and installation of a 4x4 cedar railing and handrails with Douglas-fir pickets spaced 3—2 inches apart, set 28 inches above the porch floor. The applicant modeled the new railing on a neighboring property.
Commissioner Lily Mandroff, who pulled the item from the consent agenda, asked the commission to require wood materials rather than PVC and to retain the house's existing turned cedar balusters rather than replace them with square posts. Lily moved to approve with those conditions; Commissioner Ed Hoard seconded. The motion passed by roll-call vote (9 yes, 1 no, others present), with Commissioner Wendy McIver recorded as the lone no vote. Staff noted the applicant will still need zoning or building permits as required.
The commission cited Baltimore County Historic Design Guidelines, chapter 5 (porches and steps) in its decision.
Next steps: staff to issue the certificate of appropriateness reflecting the wood-only and turned-balance conditions and the applicant to secure any permits required by zoning or building departments.
