Baltimore County LPC orders driveway restoration, denies multiple unpermitted alterations at Rodney House property

The Baltimore County Landmarks Preservation Commission ordered the owner of the Rodney House landmark complex to restore portions of an expanded asphalt driveway to its prior extent and voted to deny multiple applications for unpermitted exterior alterations across several buildings on the property at 14941–14943 York Road.

Preservation staff presented a consolidated work list after a code-enforcement correction and stop-work order prompted review of multiple ex post facto alterations. Staff said the property — designated Baltimore County landmark no. 367 by County Council bill 86-10 — included a primary random-rubble stone dwelling with a two-story frame L addition and seven historic outbuildings. Staff reported that recent work included paving laid over previous grass and garden beds, removal of small stone walls, vinyl siding and window replacements on ancillary structures, construction of a hyphen connecting a garage to the house, and other changes made without prior LPC review or building permits. Staff raised concerns about drainage and water runoff adjacent to foundations.

Commission action and votes

- Driveway restoration (driveway expansion resolution): Commissioners voted unanimously to require the property owner to return pavement to its former outline so green strips that previously separated pavement and buildings are restored. The motion was made and seconded during the meeting and passed on roll call. The commission noted staff concerns about paving flush to building foundations and potential runoff against historic masonry. The owner stated a willingness to restore the green strips but asked that staff consider that some asphalt may have existed historically in expanded form.

- Garage hyphen, siding and window alterations (14943 primary dwelling and garage): Commissioners voted to deny the application as presented for the hyphen connecting the 19?? garage to the main house, the recent vinyl siding, and replacement windows and doors where documentation of original dimensions and materials was not provided. Commissioners said the connected sequence of alterations had effectively changed the appearance and setting of the landmarked property and that attaching the garage to the landmarked structure required more careful design, documentation and review. The applicant indicated the current configuration was not the final design they intended and said they would resubmit drawings.

- Blacksmith shop and other accessory structures (14941 and related outbuildings): Commissioners voted to deny the application for the blacksmith shop alterations and requested a fuller submission with in-kind repair information. Staff asked for more detail on proposed repairs to German siding, board-and-batten additions, mortar composition for repointing, and matching window and door profiles. Commissioners recorded concerns about exterior mechanical lines (condensing/refrigerant lines) visible on historic elevations; one commissioner said visible HVAC lines need to be incorporated inside walls or otherwise hidden.

- Tenant house (vernacular house on the lot): Commissioners discussed proposed masonry repointing, standing-seam roof repairs, porch reassembly and window/door repairs. Because the application lacked specifications for mortars, methods and materials, the commission voted to deny the application as submitted but accepted an amendment allowing the owner to reinstall a missing standing-seam roof panel or make a temporary emergency repair to stop water penetration. Staff and commissioners asked the applicant to submit complete condition assessments and proposed methods (including mortar mix testing results) on resubmission.

Owner statements and staff follow-up

Owner representative Gregory (Mr. Gregorio) addressed the commission several times. He said some work had been performed by a partner without full awareness of LPC permitting requirements and that the property’s conditions included prior alterations and long-term changes over decades. He told commissioners he would work with staff to resubmit clearer, consolidated drawings. Commissioners and staff warned the applicant that continuing to remove historic materials or proceed without approval complicates review and that applicants should pause work and consult staff before further changes.

Next steps: The commission’s denials were without prejudice; staff will work with the owner on a resubmission that includes measured drawings, photographic documentation of original conditions, proposed in-kind materials for siding and windows, and a mortar analysis for masonry repointing. The commission also directed the owner to restore the driveway footprint as voted and asked staff to verify the restoration plan.