In its race against climate, Annapolis’ future and past are at war

Deep into a three-hour meeting, the talk of trees was growing wearisome. The Annapolis Historic Preservation Commission was considering whether to approve the city’s massive $78 million public works project to lift part of its downtown waterfront above where cascading floods driven by climate change often rise. But the trees envisioned in sketches were in the way. Of the view. Of the water. Of a decision.