CHARLESTON, S.C. - Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer's renovation plans for a historic house is ruffling feathers in this preservation-conscious city and may soon hit a brick wall.

Neighbors say workers chipped stucco off of the side of the historic house in an effort to make it look older than it is. Contractors say the stucco fell off by accident.

The city frowns upon property owners removing stucco, said Eddie Bello, the city's preservation officer.

"The house is 185 years old anyway," said Robert Russell, president of the Radcliffeborough Neighborhood Association. "Why does he need to make it look older?"

City officials say the stucco on Bauer's house needs to be repaired and have issued two orders stopping work on that part of the house. The order this week came after the wall was being painted, indicating that there was no intention of fixing the holes, Bello said.

Bello said the stucco apparently was removed to achieve a "faux-old" look.

"It's 'Ye Olde Charleston.'" he said.

A number of buildings around the city have the distinctive look of stucco over brick.

Bauer referred questions to the contractor working on the house, which he purchased last year for $470,000.

The contractor, Andrew Hager, said the stucco fell off while the wall was being power-washed, he said. Bello said that workers have been spotted messing with the stucco, and that it is clear that it has been chipped away.

Hager said the project is a benefit to the neighborhood.

"It's the biggest house on the block, and we're doing a complete restoration. We're preserving as much of the historical aspects of the house as we possibly can," he said. "It's been a great project, and I think it's going to add value to the community."

Bauer now has the option of either fixing the wall or going before the Board of Architectural Review for approval, but Bello said approval is unlikely.

Bello said it is not uncommon for the city to stop work on a project.

Hager said he isn't sure whether the decision will be to fix the wall or attempt to get the board's approval.

This isn't the first time Bauer has bumped up against the city. The city halted an earlier project on Rutledge Avenue after work began without the board's approval, Bello said.

---

Information from: The Post and Courier, http://www.charleston.net/