Annapolis City Council Regular Meeting - October 13, 2025

The Annapolis City Council held a lengthy regular meeting from 7:02 p.m. to 12:29 a.m. on Monday, October 13, 2025, in the Mayor John T. Chambers, Jr. City Council Chambers. The meeting included ceremonial recognitions, public testimony, and action on 19 legislative items — most notably the passage of a comprehensive zoning update (O‑14‑25), a short‑term rental cap (O‑17‑25), and two charter amendments (CA‑1‑25, CA‑2‑25). Several bills were withdrawn or defeated. One alderman (Alderwoman Pindell Charles) was absent.

Ceremonial Items

• Citations & Proclamations: Recognitions were presented to Matthew Franko (Sir Speedy Printing), Shelley Rowe (Annapolis Symphony), Joe Toolan (Annapolis Pride), multiple Hispanic Heritage / Fuerza Latina honorees, and a proclamation for Fire Prevention Month. The annual Eastport “Declaration of War” Charity Event was removed from the agenda.

Consent Calendar

• Approved unanimously: Minutes of the September 8 regular meeting and September 29 special meeting; appointment of Mr. Phinehas Doraisingh to the Transportation Board.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Will Scott (Historic Preservation Commission) requested that the City Council refer the Dock Street height/bulk changes (part of O‑14‑25) to the HPC for review, noting the commission voted unanimously to ask for that referral.
• Craig Harrison & Lisa Hillman (Ward 1 Residents Association) urged the council to “pause and think” about the height‑increase provisions in O‑14‑25, arguing they would set a “truly awful precedent” and undermine the 1978 height‑and‑bulk ordinance.
• Jacqueline Green described the sudden placement of no‑parking signs on Clay Street on a Friday evening, leaving residents with no prior notice or alternative parking. She highlighted that 14 streets are designated as District 4 parking but many are unavailable; three Airbnbs on her block exacerbate the shortage.
• Sveinn Storm criticized the council for failing to repair a flood‑remediation pump system on City Dock, stating he has offered to pay for equipment and installation but his offer has been refused.
• Kati McDermont opposed the short‑term rental cap (O‑17‑25), citing an April 2025 staff report estimating that a 10% block‑face limit would allow up to 3,177 STRs (versus the current 287 licensed). She said the bill “does not meet the moment” and called it misleading.
• Karen Brown (Historic Annapolis) said the O‑14‑25 height changes would “destroy the historic character,” had not been vetted by the HPC, and lacked support from the sitting Ward 1 alderman (Huntley).
• Dan Clemmons argued that the Dock Street provisions in O‑14‑25 constitute “special legislation” benefiting only one property owner (Latitude 138), violating the Maryland Constitution, and warned that a lawsuit would follow if passed.
• Sophia Rehindi echoed parking concerns on Bates/Bertina streets, noting lack of painted lines and enforcement, and asked for a permit waiver for low‑income residents.
• Tara Stout supported O‑30‑25 (BR district changes) and urged passage; also asked for a moratorium on new STRs until a proper audit is completed.
• Rachel Robinson (Historic Annapolis) recommended withdrawal of O‑14‑25’s height provisions and said passing so much consequential zoning “…in the fourth quarter of this term” is unwise.
• Antonia Berry requested that CA‑1‑25 include explicit expense limits (not just “reimbursement”), and opposed the STR bill and the election report changes (O‑24‑25).
• Isaac Vineyard reported that unlicensed Airbnbs on Clay Street remain active despite repeated complaints, and asked for better enforcement and a speed camera on his street.
• Tom Krieck (an STR operator) said the city’s licensing and enforcement processes are already backlogged, and a lottery system (Amendment #3 to O‑17‑25) would drive operators underground; he called for a moratorium and administrative fixes first.
• Lori Sullivan called the Dock Street provisions “spot zoning” benefiting one developer with a record of neglect, and argued the real goal is a rooftop bar, not a hotel.
• Carl Larkin asked council to “vote what you know to be the right thing” and oppose the height and density increases.
• Robert O’Shea questioned why some proposals were withdrawn “to protect those who support the proposals from being voted out.”
• Winship Wheatley quoted Alderman Arnett’s remark that “seeing what happens as a result of these measures is not what you would call planning.”

Discussion Items

• Mayor’s Update: Mayor Buckley acknowledged Indigenous Peoples’ Day, reported on the summer “pop-up” community resource fairs (14 underserved communities visited, 325 completed surveys, 80+ gun locks distributed, 1,000+ residents served), the fall boat shows, the new mountain bike park at Waterworks Park, the Providence Point senior housing groundbreaking (123 acres conserved), election deadlines, and the upcoming Annapolis Pride parade on October 18.
• Committee Reports: The Finance Committee favorably recommended the speed‑camera fine increase and the Military Bowl parade resolution (excluding the football game), and sent the Market House lease back for further negotiation. The Rules & City Government Committee reported favorable recommendations on O‑14‑25 (with amendments), O‑15‑25, O‑18‑25, O‑29‑25, O‑30‑25, and O‑34‑25; no action was taken on the Market House lease or the compensation commission.
• Technical Correction: ID‑151‑25 (correcting a typo in O‑13‑25) was approved.

Key Outcomes

• Charter Amendments (CA‑1‑25 & CA‑2‑25) — PASSED: CA‑1‑25 (updating the compensation commission process) passed third reader 8‑0. CA‑2‑25 (extending the pay‑and‑benefits deadline to the general election) passed third reader 7‑1 (Huntley dissenting; Pindell Charles absent).
• O‑14‑25 (Comprehensive Plan Implementation) — PASSED after multiple votes and amendments. The most contentious amendment (Amendment #6, tying density bonuses to high‑value transit) initially failed 4‑4, but after reconsideration, a scaled‑down version that removed performance security and penalties passed 7‑1 (Buckley dissenting). The final bill on second reader passed 5‑2 (Buckley and O’Neill dissenting; Gay abstaining); on third reader it passed 4‑3 (Buckley, O’Neill, Finlayson dissenting; Gay abstaining). Amendments 1‑5 had been adopted earlier; language that would have allowed extra height for a Dock Street hotel was later stripped (motion to strike page 11, lines 1‑26, passed 7‑0‑1).
• O‑15‑25 (ADU Requirements) — WITHDRAWN without objection.
• O‑17‑25 (Short‑Term Rental Cap) — PASSED with five amendments, including a lottery system (Amendment #3 passed 5‑3) and exemptions for owner‑occupied rentals. Third reader: 6‑2 (O’Neill and Finlayson dissenting).
• O‑18‑25 (Historic Duplexes in R2) — WITHDRAWN without objection.
• O‑19‑25 (Tour Regulation) — PASSED 8‑0 on third reader.
• O‑21‑25 (Harbor Lines) — WITHDRAWN without objection.
• O‑24‑25 (Election Report Deadlines) — PASSED 8‑0 on third reader, with a narrowing amendment.
• O‑29‑25 (Tyler Avenue Overlay) — PASSED 8‑0 on third reader.
• O‑30‑25 (BR District FAR Change) — PASSED 8‑0 on third reader, with two amendments.
• O‑34‑25 (Exempt Service Positions) — PASSED 8‑0 on third reader.
• R‑5‑25 (Maryland Hall Fee Waiver) — WITHDRAWN (replaced by a grant).
• R‑33‑25 (Speed Camera Fines) — PASSED 8‑0 on second reader.
• R‑34‑25 (Market Space Interest Waiver) — POSTPONED to the special meeting on October 27, 2025.
• R‑35‑25 (181 Prince George St. Sidewalk Easement) — DEFEATED 2‑5‑1 (Buckley and Finlayson aye; Huntley, O’Neill, Schandelmeier, Gay, Savidge nay; Arnett abstained).
• R‑41‑25 (Military Bowl Parade) — PASSED 8‑0 on third reader, with an amendment striking “and Football Game” and adjusting attendance to 20,000.
• R‑42‑25 (Acting City Manager Compensation) — PASSED 8‑0 on second reader.
• R‑44‑25 (Resolution on Pedestrian Safety & Transit) — Added to agenda and ADOPTED on first reader (voice vote).