Georgetown’s Architectural Review Board — which continues to deny Hardie Plank siding on a home on Cannon Street — once gave its blessing for vinyl siding on the same home.

Steve and Jean Rothrock have been trying since 2008 to get ARB permission for HardiePlank siding for the home but have been denied.

The ARB says Hardie Plank does not meet the appearance standards outlined in the guidelines since the house originally had a wood siding.

The Rothrocks maintain Hardie Plank looks very much like wood, especially from a distance.

In 1986 — before the Rothrocks bought the house — the ARB gave the previous owners permission to place vinyl siding on the house.

The owners were thinking about demolishing the house but decided to make renovations.

According to the minutes from the May 5, 1986 ARB meeting,  board member Sally Gillespie made a motion to allow, among other things, “vinyl siding on house with wood trim left exposed” although she did say the board would like to see the house remain wooden if possible.

Instead of vinyl, the owners sided the house with aluminum which was removed when it was purchased by the Rothrocks.

“Vinyl is far more inferior product than Hardie Plank,” Jean Rothrock said Thursday.

She also clarified statements she made when she addressed City Council Jan. 19.

She said updating guidelines that govern the Historic District — which the city plans to do is good but will be a waste of time and money if the culture of that board does not change.

She said many of the guidelines “are enforced or ignored at the whim of the board” and decisions are “arbitrary.”

By Scott Harper

sharper@gtowntimes.com