An Annapolis couple who allowed fiberglass columns on the new porch of their 19th-century home in downtown Annapolis without receiving permission from the city's Historic Preservation Commission, have sued the panel, charging that its denial of their materials switch was unreasonably stringent.
Valerie and Bryan J. Miller have asked Anne Arundel County Circuit Court to overturn the commission's decision and its order that the fiberglass columns be torn down and replaced with wood.
The lawsuit, filed Feb. 20, has roiled the local historians and preservationists who passionately defend the building standards in downtown Annapolis' Historic District.
They have long complained that some builders and residents are trying to circumvent the laws and that a lax commission has allowed it. Together, they are watering down the Historic District's value with vinyl windows, trim and siding and plastic planters, some critics say.
"There's all kinds of inauthentic materials being popped into the Historic District," said Craig Purcell, a local architect. "This district is kind of a gold standard for districts across the country. We don't want to fall off the wagon. ... There's an issue of the dilution of the authentic brand of Annapolis that's at stake."
The volunteer seven-member commission must approve all construction in the Historic District, and its rules follow the standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties, which are set by the Secretary of the Interior and call for the use of authentic materials. Chairwoman Sharon Kennedy rejected any criticism that the panel is not aggressive enough in cracking down on violators.
"We are about compliance, not about violations," Kennedy said. "The commission's job is to get property owners into compliance with the district ordinance. So when people say we're not issuing violations, that's not our purpose. ... Issuing violations is one tool in our toolkit."
Kennedy declined to comment on the Millers' case, noting the possibility that the court will remand the case to the commission for further review.
The Millers contend that their porch is an addition, not a replica of a porch attached to the front of the home when it was constructed in 1908. That should allow for more flexibility in construction materials, they say.
City officials, the Millers say, required the porch to be 6 inches narrower than the original and for one of the columns to contain a steel rod.
