A prominent New York City developer balked when he was ordered to shave a foot off the height of two 5-foot granite posts he had installed at the driveway entrance to Katharine Hepburn’s former estate along the Connecticut shore.

A veteran of navigating zoning rules and regulations, Frank Sciame thought the local historic commission didn’t have the authority to issue the order in 2010. His response? Place foot-high flower beds at the base of the posts and tell the commission he was complying with its order.