The non-profit preservation group Historic Annapolis has filed a lawsuit challenging the recently approved site plan for the Maritime Welcome Center, a building that will replace the harbormaster’s office.

The Historic Preservation Commission unanimously approved the multi-million dollar site plan last month. It includes the 4,553-square-foot welcome center that will connect to the Capt. William Burtis House, as well as a park in front of the historic waterman’s home.

The lawsuit argues the commission violated city law when it interpreted the building as a new structure, opposing Historic Annapolis’ belief that the building is an addition to the historic home. The lawsuit also alleges other violations of guidelines governing development in the Historic District, including procedural rules violations during public hearings and the commission’s deliberation.

“The purpose of the judicial review is for the court to assess if the decision rendered by the HPC (The Historic Preservation Commission) was fair. All property owners must be subject to the same standard of review,” Karen Theimer Brown, president and CEO of Historic Annapolis, said in a statement Monday. “As a property owner, the city must abide by the same rules as every other property owner in the historic district.”

Historic Annapolis argues the HPC’s interpretation of the welcome center contradicts what appeared in applications to the Maryland Historical Trust, which is dedicated to preserving Maryland’s past, and other materials submitted to the commission.

Annapolis city code defines an “addition” as construction that increases the size of a structure. Historic Annapolis says the approved building — which developers say has been reduced in size — would “compete with and obliterate the Burtis House, going as far as limiting its view from various vantage points,” which violates a section in the city’s Historic District Design manual related to the size of additions, according to the filing. The design manual can be viewed on the city’s website.

The lawsuit was filed this week by Annapolis lawyer Edward Hartman. Hartman also represents an anonymous plaintiff challenging the project’s multi-million dollar park and flood protection system.

Arguments in that lawsuit, filed in October, were heard in court on Monday by an Anne Arundel County Circuit Court judge, who is expected to issue a judgment within two weeks. The anonymous plaintiff excluded The Maritime Welcome Center in the complaint.

With this latest lawsuit, both portions of the City Dock Revitalization Project now face legal challenges.

Brown denied that Historic Annapolis — including staff and board members — is involved in the lawsuit filed by an anonymous plaintiff.

“While [Historic Annapolis] strongly supports the critical resiliency components of the City Dock redevelopment aimed at mitigating flood risks and ensuring the long-term viability of this historic waterfront, the organization expresses deep concern over the process and outcome of the HPC review for the MWC, which is separate from the resiliency effort,” it wrote in a Monday news release.

Mayor Gavin Buckley defended the commission’s actions.

“While the vote to approve was taken during the HPC meeting, the commission has yet to issue a formal opinion. We intend to defend the appeal and are confident the court will uphold the decision,” Buckley said in a statement Wednesday. “To be clear, the arguments brought forward by Historic Annapolis in their appeal were heard and thoroughly debated by the Historic Preservation Commission prior to their vote. After hearing all the arguments, members of the commission voted unanimously to approve.”

Whiting-Turner, the Baltimore-based company listed as the welcome center’s contractor, did not return a request for comment.

As of Thursday, the city had not filed a formal response in the court system, according to court records.

Have a news tip? Contact Megan Loock at mloock@baltsun.com or 443-962-5771.