LPC orders restoration and denies multiple unpermitted alterations at landmark 'Rodney House' on York Road

The Baltimore County Landmarks Preservation Commission unanimously directed the owner of the landmark-designated Rodney House properties on York Road to return recently expanded asphalt paving to its prior footprint and denied the pending application for several ex post facto exterior alterations to the primary dwelling and accessory buildings. Commissioners also denied other incomplete submissions for the complex and instructed the owner to resubmit complete plans; the Commission allowed a temporary repair of a missing metal roof panel on the tenant house to prevent water infiltration.

Staff reported that the complex at 14941–14945 York Road (final landmark No. 367) includes a circa-1832 random-rubble stone dwelling, a two-story frame L addition, and multiple historic outbuildings (blacksmith shop, office, tenant house, spring house, stable and ice house). In March 2024, county code enforcement issued a correction notice/stop-work order after a constituent reported an expansion of an asphalt driveway without LPC review or building permits. Staff’s presentation documented asphalt laid over former planting strips and stamped-concrete patio areas, enclosure of previously open window and door openings in a 1980s garage, installation of vinyl siding on historically clad elevations, and other work carried out without LPC review.

Commission action and rationale

- Driveway and expanded paving: The commission voted unanimously (11–0) to require that the owner return paved areas to the previous outline so that grass strips and original paving relationships adjacent to buildings are reinstated. Commissioners cited concerns about asphalt abutting building foundations, drainage against foundations, and the loss of a historic buffer between vehicles and structures. The owner acknowledged the expanded paving and said some areas had been asphalted in phases over the prior two decades.

- Garage/Hyphen and associated exterior work: Commissioners found the recent attachment (a vinyl-clad hyphen connecting the garage to the rear elevation), door and window replacements, and other alterations lacked sufficient documentation and in several cases had been executed without permits. The commission unanimously voted (11–0) to deny the current application for these items and directed the owner to submit complete, detailed drawings showing proposed dimensions, materials, and how new work will respect the historic structure. Commissioners noted that attaching a previously detached noncontributing garage to a designated primary structure can alter the landmark setting and must be handled with designs that are clearly subordinate and reversible.

- Tenant house (masonry, porch, roofs): For the tenant house and related masonry, commissioners and staff identified missing information (mortar composition, repair techniques, and dimensions) and denied the incomplete submission, urging a resubmission with condition assessments and in-kind repair specifications. The Commission did, by unanimous agreement, allow a temporary/limited repair of a missing metal roof panel (to prevent water intrusion) while the applicant prepares full documentation for repointing, repainting removal of paint where appropriate, roof repairs and porch reconstruction.

Owner and staff response: The owner (identified in the meeting transcript as Mr. Gregorio) acknowledged he and his partner had proceeded with some work without prior LPC approval, said contractors had refused projects because of uncertainty about acceptable materials and windows, and stated the property team intends to resubmit a fuller application after consulting staff and confirming historic-appropriate materials. Preservation staff told the owner staff will provide guidance and a list of recommended window manufacturers and contractors and emphasized that applicants should wait for staff guidance before continuing exterior work.

Ending: The commission’s unanimous votes required the owner to restore paving to the previous condition in the short term, denied the current ex post facto application for the hyphen/garage and other exterior changes, and advised the owner to prepare a complete, detailed resubmission that documents existing conditions and proposes in-kind or appropriately subordinate work. Staff will follow up with the owner to clarify required submittal items and next steps.