Imagine this: a historic home, a fixer-upper, is a dream find for any real estate enthusiast. But what happens when a neighbor's move adds a hefty price tag to the renovation plans? This is the story of Cassandra London and her Ruxton home, a tale that will leave you questioning the complexities of historic preservation.
Cassandra, an experienced real estate professional, had her eyes set on restoring a beautiful Queen Anne-style house, a true gem dating back almost 140 years. Little did she know, her neighbor, Joseph Coale, a local historian and founder of the Greater Ruxton Area Foundation, had other plans. While the house was still in foreclosure, Coale nominated it for the Baltimore County Landmarks List, a move that would change everything.
Cassandra, unaware of this nomination, purchased the house with the intention of preserving its original charm. But here's where it gets controversial: the landmark status comes with a catch - historic windows, and lots of them. With a price tag of nearly $4,000 per window, compared to her initial budget of less than $250, Cassandra suddenly faced an additional $160,000 in renovation costs.
At a preliminary hearing, Cassandra and her lawyer objected, but the Baltimore County Landmarks Commission unanimously decided to include the Maroney House on the preliminary list. The house's excellent Queen Anne architecture and its notable former owners, including a B&O Railroad executive and a pioneering tuberculosis specialist, sealed its fate.
And this is the part most people miss: the council representative for the district where the home is located has the final say. For Ruxton, that's Izzy Patoka, who, along with two other councilmen, is inclined to vote against the landmark status.
Julian Jones, a real estate professional himself, raised an important point: "It is problematic that someone can decide to put your home on a historical landmark list. It will affect her property value, and when you add restrictions, it might deter potential buyers."
Coale, in his defense, wrote that the Maroney House is an "enduring link to our local heritage" and its preservation would "provide the Ruxton community with character and uniqueness." But Jones questioned Coale's motives, suggesting he could have purchased the house himself if he cared so much.
The Maroney House's nomination is a test case for a new law passed after the controversial demolition of the Choate House, a beloved 215-year-old tavern. The new law requires the council to vote on properties' landmark status, ensuring a more democratic process.
Patoka plans to schedule a vote within the next few months, and while the council can consider owner hardships, the Landmarks Commission's role is to evaluate the property's historic integrity.
The chair of the commission, Phoebe Evans Letocha, said this case was a clear-cut decision. Despite some deterioration, the home's architectural integrity remained, and its historically significant former occupants met the criteria. Letocha added that while the notification timing was unfortunate for Cassandra, allowing owners to overrule landmark status could result in the loss of many historic properties.
Tax credits are available, but the more lucrative ones require owners to live in the property, a condition that might not suit Cassandra's plans.
Cassandra's attorney, Elizabeth Smith, questioned the landmarking rationale, especially given the B&O Railroad's complex relationship with slavery. London, being Black, raised valid concerns about celebrating a property tied to such a controversial past.
The homes on L'Hirondelle Club Road showcase a variety of architectural styles, unlike Dickeyville or Sudbrook Park, known for their uniform designs. Patoka pointed out that Maroney House is not in a historic district, which means owners should have more freedom.
Coale, a long-time Ruxton resident, argued that Maroney House's visibility and its neglect
