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A 300-year-old Bethesda home was sold for the first time last year, but there's a hiccup with renovations

The home's new owner says he was unaware of the strict guidelines of the Historic Preservation Commission, but will comply with their request.

BETHESDA, Md. — There's a tiny, stone house that you've probably passed by on River Road in Bethesda, without giving it a second thought. But the house has stood at the intersection of River Road and Seven Locks Road for 300 years. 

Once the Magruder Blacksmith shop, it was sold for the first time ever last year. Now, the Historic Preservation Commission has issued a stop work order on renovations at the house. 

Montgomery County businessman Gus Stefanou, who owns his own CPA firm, first fell in love with the stone home as a teenager. When it went up for sale last January, he bought it immediately. He got to work renovating the home just one month later. 

"We took the asphalt roof off and we noticed all the rafters and framing were rotten -- all of the framing had to be redone," Stefanou said.

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Stefanou said the roof was so rotten, he had to replace it so the house wouldn't be exposed. He thought a copper roof would be the best match for the building and age, but got a rude awakening nine months later, when he received a stop work order from the historic commission.

The renovation of the house was 99% complete, Stefanou said. 

 "It's shocking, I thought I would get a plaque for doing this, not be criticized," Stefanou said.

The problem? The house, built in the 1750's, is designated as a historic site. That comes with strict guidelines. The Historic Preservation Commission says the exterior of the home can't be modified, or deviate from the original look, without explicit permission.

The copper roof doesn't meet their standards, so the commission wants it removed and replaced with an asphalt shingled roof.

Stefanou said he'll comply with the roof requirement, but it takes time. He's hired a historical architect and said he wants to be a good steward of such a special place.

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