Annapolis City Council Special Meeting – September 29, 2025

The Annapolis City Council held a special meeting on Monday, September 29, 2025, at 7:01 PM in Council Chambers. All nine members were present. The agenda was approved as amended to remove citations for Moms Demand Action and the MLK Parade Committee, Council Member Recognition, supplemental appropriation SA-7-26, ordinance O-19-25 (tour regulation), and resolution R-35-25 (sidewalk easement). Ceremonial items included a citation for the Downtown Annapolis Partnership, a proclamation for Hispanic Heritage Month, and a citation for Kerry Mueller for her service to Annapolis youth. The meeting concluded at 10:01 PM.

Consent Calendar

• AP-58-25 – Appointment of Samantha Watts to the Education Commission was approved unanimously.
• SA-7-26 (Parking operations supplemental appropriation) was removed from the agenda.

Public Comments & Testimony

General Public Comments (before public hearings):

• John Taylor (144 Spa Dr) opposed the proposed paddleboard concession at Truxton Park, citing environmental pollution, unsafe water, lack of facilities, and insufficient water depth.
• Dan Clements (17 Southgate Ave) argued that ordinance O-14-25 (not on the evening’s agenda) violates the Maryland Constitution as a special law benefiting a single property owned by Harvey Blonder, who he noted had been found liable for fraud and ordered to pay punitive damages.
• Julie Gibson (610 Sweet Brush Ct, Severna Park) stated that she was misled by city officials regarding short-term rental regulations and that the city’s inaction has harmed her business; she requested assistance from the council.
• Narril Rome (121 Charles St) urged enforcement of the city code against a large political billboard at 191 Duke of Gloucester St that has remained in place more than a year past the allowed 60-day period, with daily fines accruing.
• James Derderian (182 Prince George St) complained about a trash enclosure at 181 Prince George St that he said was installed illegally and is receiving special treatment despite code violations.
• Bill Kardash (17 South St) opposed a proposed extension of the Market House lease (O-33-25) and a waiver of interest penalties (R-34-25), calling the lease one-sided and noting uncollected rent.
• Lori Sullivan (25 Wagner St) opposed the snow-clearing fees in R-36-25, arguing they unfairly penalize resident homeowners, especially those with corner properties, and suggested a community-based snow brigade program instead.
• John Hammond (141 Monticello Ave) raised concerns about the integrity of the primary election, questioning whether a candidate’s certificate of candidacy was timely filed, and urged the council to review city code sections.

Public Hearing – Charter Amendment CA-2-25 (City Council Pay and Benefits Deadline):

• No speakers. The public hearing was declared closed.

Public Hearing – Ordinance O-15-25 (Accessory Dwelling Unit Requirements):

• Max Gross (on behalf of Anne Arundel County Association of Realtors) supported the bill, citing a survey that 42% of Maryland residents aged 18-34 are considering leaving the state due to housing costs; he argued ADUs increase gentle density and affordability.
• Katie McDermont (50 Franklin St) urged rejection of the bill, calling for a coordinated approach with STR and duplex legislation; she claimed the bill removes the owner-occupancy requirement and allows corporate ownership, contrary to the Planning Commission’s unfavorable recommendation.
• Trudy McFall (205 Scott Dr) strongly opposed, sharing 44 years of experience as an ADU owner; she emphasized that owner presence is critical for oversight and warned that removing it would turn housing over to profit-driven investors.
• Lori Sullivan (25 Wagner St) opposed, stating the bill eliminates residency requirements, expands unit size to 1,200 sq ft, and permits corporate and out-of-state ownership, which she said will increase density, traffic, and short-term rentals without creating affordable housing.
• Ben Sales (204 S Cherry Grove Ave) opposed, contending that existing ADUs already cause parking and enforcement problems and that the Planning Commission voted unanimously against the non-owner-occupied provision.
• Hunter Lewis (214 Linden Ave) opposed, describing a negative personal experience with a nearby short-term rental and expressing concerns that the legislation would worsen neighborhood erosion and enforcement challenges.
• John Hammond (141 Monticello Ave) opposed, criticizing the proposed size increase from 850 to 1,200 sq ft, questioning life-safety requirements, and calling the bill a “bait and switch.”
• The Mayor accepted the Planning Commission’s findings and recommendations into the record and declared the public hearing closed.

Public Hearing – Ordinance O-18-25 (Re-Allowing Historic Duplexes in R2 Zoning Districts):

• Selma Edwards (116 Grandville Ave) opposed, asserting that the ordinance would erode historic neighborhood character and increase infrastructure strain.
• Antonia Barry (2100 S Cherry Grove Ave) opposed, saying newer construction reduces green space and worsens stormwater runoff to Spa Creek; she argued developers will maximize profit, not affordability.
• Katie McDermont opposed, calling the bill “radical seismic change in an election year” and a “betrayal of the community.”
• Winship Wheatley (159 Monticello Ave) opposed, submitting a 15-point list of questions and stating that 842 of 3,657 R2 parcels meet the minimum lot size, contradicting claims of limited impact.
• Max Gross supported, sharing his personal experience living in a duplex and arguing that duplexes have always been part of Annapolis’s historic fabric; he warned that restrictive zoning prices out affordability.
• Susan Wheatley (159 Monticello Ave) opposed, claiming that only one of 20 neighbors knew about the bill and that 842 eligible parcels make it a “feeding frenzy” for investors.
• Tom Kreick (14 Murray Ave) opposed, criticizing the justification based on a Urban3 report focused on tax yield per acre rather than holistic planning; he argued the ordinance would increase pressure on infrastructure and schools.
• Cynthia Demesi (144 Spa Dr) opposed, stating that about 80% of homes in her neighborhood could be converted and that public engagement has been insufficient.
• Jeremy Alston (66 Southgate Ave) supported, arguing that incremental density growth built Annapolis’s historic character and that duplexes belong in the city, provided short-term rental regulations are strengthened.
• Ben Branson (2 Maryland Ave) gave tentative support, conditioning it on strong short-term rental regulation and enforcement, and acknowledging the bill alone will not help the working class.
• Lori Sullivan opposed, reiterating that more density without coordinated STR caps will increase rentals and that residents feel unheard.
• John Taylor opposed, urging the council to “first, do no harm.”
• Ben Sales (former planning commissioner) opposed, arguing that a blanket rezoning across all R2 is wrong and should be site-specific; he warned of potential exploitation.
• Marty Ensley (135 Spa Dr) opposed, stating the public is largely unaware of the bill and recommending it be left to the next administration for thorough review, noting schools are already at capacity.
• John Hammond opposed, rebutting claims about Park Place subsidies and warning that “the road to hell is paved with good intentions.”
• George Gallagher (1212 Barbud Lane) opposed, arguing that the city’s affordability problem stems from a 44% property tax increase over eight years, not zoning; he said population growth is only 2.67% in eight years and called the 2040 plan “neo-feudalism.”
• The Mayor declared the public hearing closed.

Public Hearing – Ordinance O-37-25 (City Capital Facilities Charges Payment Plan):

• John Hammond expressed concern about enforcement if a property later becomes a short-term rental.
• No other speakers. The hearing was closed.

Public Hearing – Ordinance O-38-25 (Exception to Prohibition on Doors or Gates Opening Over Sidewalks):

• No speakers. The hearing was closed.

Discussion Items

• Mayor’s Update: Mayor Buckley congratulated primary winners and thanked all candidates. He noted an error in the unofficial count on election night (votes swapped in Ward 6) that was corrected; a full audit confirmed official results, particularly the four-vote margin in Ward 4. He reminded voters of the November 4 general election and December 1 transition. He announced the upcoming Annapolis Boat Shows (powerboat and sailboat) and urged residents to allow extra travel time. The Mayor thanked partners for a state highway marker honoring the Capital Gazette Five, and recognized Yom Kippur.
• Committee Reports: Alderman Savidge (Environmental Matters) reported favorable recommendations on boat show leases and a joint meeting on O-14-25. Alderman O’Neill (Transportation) announced an October 8 meeting to discuss parking contractor data and new penalty legislation. Alderman Huntley (Rules & City Government) summarized unfavorable recommendation on O-24-25 (election reports) and postponed O-14-25. Alderman Schandelmeier (Economic Matters) reported favorable on boat show leases and postponed the market house lease. Alderman Savidge (Finance) noted postponements on speed monitoring fines and market space interest waiver.
• O-24-25 Debate: Alderman Huntley (sponsor) argued the bill adds two earlier reporting deadlines for candidate fundraising to increase transparency. Alderman Savidge noted the Rules Committee and Board of Supervisors of Elections opposed it as unnecessary burden. Alderman Finlayson also opposed. The council voted to postpone the ordinance to October 13, 2025.
• R-39-25 Amendment: Alderman Huntley moved to strike “October 19” and insert “one of November 9 or November 23” to avoid conflict with the Maryland Avenue Fall Festival. The amendment carried, and the resolution was then adopted as amended.

Key Outcomes

• Agenda Amendment: Approved to remove five items listed above (carried on voice vote).
• Consent Calendar: Approved unanimously (AP-58-25).
• Public Hearings Closed: CA-2-25, O-15-25 (after accepting Planning Commission findings), O-18-25, O-37-25, O-38-25.
• R-42-25 (Acting City Manager Compensation): Adopted on first reader (voice vote).
• O-24-25 (Election Report Deadlines): Postponed to October 13, 2025 (carried on voice vote).
• O-32-25 (Fall Boat Shows Lease 2031-2036): Adopted on second reader (voice vote) and third reader (9-0 roll call).
• O-36-25 (Spring Boat Shows Lease 2031-2036): Adopted on second reader (voice vote) and third reader (9-0 roll call).
• R-36-25 (Fees for Clearing Snow and Ice from Sidewalks): Adopted on second reader (9-0 roll call).
• R-38-25 (Reassigning Community Grants to Superior Future, Inc.): Adopted on second reader (9-0 roll call).
• R-39-25 (Flea Market): Amended to change date to November 9 or November 23; adopted as amended on second reader (9-0 roll call).
• Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 10:01 PM.