Renovations cost NC mansion its historic status

CHARLOTTE -- A North Carolina homeowner who enjoyed a decade of tax breaks by preserving a 1920s mansion will have to pay back taxes after remodeling cost the home its historic designation. The Charlotte Observer reported Monday that the city council approved stripping the Major Alexander L. James House of its historic designation. The owner of the 1929 brick home made a number of changes the local Historic Landmarks Commission didn't approve, including removing fireplaces, flooring and interior doors. The historic status had saved owner Peter Fleming about $20,000 annually in property taxes. Now Fleming will have to pay the last three years of deferred property taxes, the current year's taxes, and interest. That comes to about $86,000. (Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)