On June 26, 2018, the National Trust for Historic Preservation listed the City of Annapolis, Maryland as one of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places. Since its listing as a National Historic Landmark District in 1965, Annapolis has remained one of the most intact and authentic colonial towns in the entire nation — proposed rezoning puts it all at risk.
Preservation Maryland is opposed to lifting critical height and bulk restrictions which have preserved the authentic, human-scale setting that defines Annapolis. Construction at this scale on the water’s edge threatens to eliminate the critical connection between the water and the city, creates untold environmental challenges and could invite further degradation of the historic district.
Over the course of the past 50 years, countless Marylanders have invested in the care, upkeep, and protection of Annapolis. As a result, Annapolis is one of the state’s premiere heritage tourism destinations – drawing visitors from around the globe who are attracted to the city’s charm and history.
Key to the success of Annapolis has been the reasonable and carefully enforced historic district guidelines which have protected it’s irreplaceable buildings and unparalleled views. The current proposal to rezone portions of the historic district to allow for incompatible, large-scale development on the historic waterfront threatens to upend this multi-generational effort to protect Annapolis’ exceptional heritage.
Preservation Maryland is not opposed to the construction or the thoughtful redevelopment of underutilized areas of the Annapolis historic district. The organization is, however, opposed to lifting critical height and bulk restrictions which have preserved the authentic, human-scale setting that defines Annapolis. Construction at this scale on the water’s edge threatens to eliminate the critical connection between the water and the city, creates untold environmental challenges and could invite further degradation of the historic district.
Preservation Maryland joins with national, regional and local partners in calling to reject this proposal. Simply put, the current proposal is not worthy of Annapolis and should be rejected in favor of developing a plan which embraces the heritage of the community and provides for compatible growth.
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