Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, December 19, 1993 TAG: 9312190090
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: SMITHFIELD LENGTH: Short
The Newberns, who own a century-old landmark in the heart of the 243-year-old town's National Historic District, replaced the wooden steps on the front of their Victorian house with semicircular antique brick steps that have a Colonial design.
But the review board told them the steps don't match the house, and the Town Council ruled last week that the steps have to go.
"What gives them the right to tell us what we can or cannot do with our property?" asked Newbern, a building contractor.
"The steps don't go with the house, that's the problem," said Jo Ann Wood, a review board member. "They are from two different time periods. They're beautiful steps. They did a beautiful job on them. But the house and the steps don't go together."
The dispute isn't the first time the Newberns have crossed paths with local officials over their house. In 1987, soon after they moved in, then-Town Manager Elsey Harris happened by just as the Newberns were preparing to cut down two ancient pecan trees in the front yard.
"They stopped us cold," Denise Newbern said. "They told us we couldn't cut the trees that are infested with bugs, too huge for this house, with roots going into the basement."
Later, the review board approved a room addition to the house, along with a brick walkway and a brick facer on the foundation. The Newberns added the steps in matching brick, but they forgot to get approval for that design.
The house, a doctor's summer home, was built about 1887.
by CNB