The Jeffersonian Article

Bloede house could be razed to build 23 townhouses
Council to hold landmarks hearing July 7
Posted 7/04/08
by Marcia Ames

The Baltimore County Council will hold a public hearing Monday, July 7, on proposed additions to the county's Final Landmarks List, including a house at 110 Forest Ave. in Catonsville.

Built by the late chemist and entrepreneur Victor Bloede, the 83-year-old house received preliminary landmark status in January from the county's Landmarks Preservation Commission.

Forest Avenue resident Stephen Lackey nominated the property on the basis of its association with Bloede, who lived there until his death in 1937.

Bloede developed Eden Terrace, the neighborhood that includes Forest Avenue, and the first power plant that supplied electricity to the area.

Opponents of the nomination included landmarks commission member Qutub Syed, who had inspected the house and recommended it for demolition, saying it appeared structurally unsafe.

The County Council has the final decision, which will affect the outcome of Charles Skirven's plans for a 23-townhouse, Villas at Eden Terrace development at the 6.4-acre site.

Skirven, who also opposed the nomination, has a contract to buy the property from its current owner, Lino LaPenna, and intends to raze the house.

If the house becomes a historic landmark, Skirven would need to reconfigure his plans and retain it in the new development or obtain Landmarks Preservation Commission approval to demolish the house.

The July hearing follows the council meeting, which begins at 6 p.m. in the County Council hearing chamber, second floor of the Old Courthouse building, 400 Washington Ave., Towson.

Speaker registration begins at 5:30 p.m.

http://www.explorebaltimorecounty.com/news/1312/bloede-house-could-be-razed-build-23-townhouses/