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Baltimore County panel permits K‑style gutters at 1894 Anson house after owner cites foundation damage
Summary
The Landmarks Preservation Commission approved K‑style aluminum gutters for a 1894 house at 5001 Cedar Avenue after the owner said existing half‑round gutters overflow and threaten the foundation; the commission noted visual preference for half‑round gutters but allowed K‑style as a reversible solution.
The Baltimore County Landmarks Preservation Commission voted to permit installation of 6‑inch K‑style aluminum gutters at 5001 Cedar Avenue, a contributing property in the Relay County Historic District, after the homeowner said half‑round gutters consistently overflow and are damaging the house foundation.
Owner Miss Anson told the commission her 1894 home has a steep roof pitch that causes half‑round gutters to overflow and leak into the siding. She said the overflow is harming the foundation and that K‑style gutters handle runoff from steep roofs better. “Because of all of the water that’s coming down… it’s becoming damaging to the foundation of the house,” she told the panel.
Staff had presented county design guidelines that recommend matching gutter style to a building’s eaves and fascia; commissioners discussed whether K‑style gutters would be appropriate on a historic frame house. One commissioner said the house would “look better with the half‑round gutters” but acknowledged the owner’s structural concern and suggested allowing K‑style gutters as an experiment that could be reversed later. The motion to approve K‑style gutters was seconded and passed by roll‑call vote.
Staff will follow up with the owner to confirm installation details. The commission’s action reflects a pragmatic balance between preserving a historic streetscape and responding to site‑specific structural concerns. The commission recorded the roll‑call vote in the minutes and will contact the owner with next steps.
