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Bill would clarify appeals path for local historic preservation commission decisions, sponsor says
Summary
House Bill 1255 would clarify whether appeals from local historic preservation commission decisions go to a local board of appeals or directly to circuit court; Bel Air officials supported giving property owners access to a local board of appeals as a faster, lower'cost option.
Delegate Ricard McComas and Mayor Paula Eddings of Bel Air told the Environment and Transportation Committee on March 11 that House Bill 1255 seeks to clarify appellate rights when a local historic preservation commission rules on changes to designated sites. The bill would codify the availability of a local board of appeals as an intermediate route to review commission decisions, rather than forcing appellants to pursue direct judicial review in circuit court.
Bel Air officials said the change would reduce cost and time for property owners seeking review and avoid technical circuit court filing requirements that can be intimidating to residents. Laura Bianca Pruitt, planner for the Town of Bel Air and staff liaison to the local historic preservation commission, told the committee that appeals to the town board of appeals currently cost about $300 and typically take one to two months, while circuit court appeals often require counsel and formal filings.
Supporters said the bill simply clarifies existing ambiguity in state law and would preserve a local option for review; the Maryland Historic Trust queried the sponsor and said authorities were unclear. The committee did not vote at the hearing.
