Historic Home Remodeling

The city has asked the state Supreme Court to overturn what preservationists say is a precedent-setting decision to let former Mayor Lee Prentiss expand his historic home.

Preservationists and city attorneys say a Court of Appeals ruling April 23 weakens the state historic building code. The court ruled that listing a home on the historic registry should not restrict an owner’s use of the property.

The appeals court found that the city in 1990 wrongfully revoked Prentiss’ permit to remodel and expand his 3,500-square-foot 1907 Craftsman-style home.

Prentiss’ Oaklawn Avenue home has remained covered in tar paper and plastic since the city revoked the construction permit after remodeling began. The city said it was a historic structure and needed an environmental review.

The appeals court upheld its decision last month when the city asked it to reconsider. The Supreme Court will make a decision by July 22 on whether to hear the case.

“It’s an exercise in futility and the actions of an egomaniac attorney,” Prentiss said of Antonio Rossmann’s decision to ask the Supreme Court to hear the case. Rossmann is the city’s preservationist attorney.

Prentiss said further legal action will only cost the city more money.

Finance Director Barbara James said the city has spent more than $100,000 in legal fees on the case since it was filed in September, 1991.