Former owners say concrete replacements were needed; commission issues notice to proceed as completed for Pikesville home

The Baltimore County Landmarks Preservation Commission voted unanimously to issue a notice to proceed as completed for exterior work at 4948 Tulip Avenue in Pikesville, a non‑contributing resource in the Relay County Historic District.

Gordon Kelly, who identified himself as the previous owner, told the commission he bought the house 15 years ago for his daughter and said family circumstances left the house in disrepair. "We had to spend about $80,000 to fix the house up inside just to make it sellable," Kelly said, explaining the interior repairs and why he and his contractor replaced a fieldstone walkway, wooden entry steps and a rear patio with concrete.

Staff summarized the application and the circumstances that prompted an ex post facto review: a neighbor reported the work in January 2026, staff found no LPC approval or permit had been issued, and a correction notice was served on Feb. 2, 2026. Staff recommended issuing a notice to proceed as completed, citing the Baltimore County Historic Design Guidelines (Chapter 5, porches and steps; Chapter 7, fences and landscape) and county code section 32‑7‑405.

Commissioner John Holman moved to accept staff's recommendation; the motion was seconded and carried in a roll‑call vote with all members recorded as voting yes. During the meeting Kelly said the house has since been sold and that he and his wife provided the new owner with a legal agreement assuming responsibility for any matters that arise from the work.

The commission did not require the current occupant to appear; staff will record the action and proceed according to county enforcement procedures.