Ann Arundel County Council Legislative Session - December 16, 2025

The County Council met on December 16, 2025 (session began the evening of December 15) to conduct routine business, hear public testimony, and vote on multiple bills and resolutions. The agenda included a consent calendar, public comments on non-agenda items, the introduction of new bills, and deliberation on land use, housing, and administrative measures.

Consent Calendar

• The minutes of the legislative session of December 1, 2025 were approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Kyle Nimhard (resident): Urged the council to set aside political ideology and work together on sustainable development, referencing Bill 1924 and the need to prevent exploitation by private developers.
• Kurt Svenson (Arnold resident): Opposed a redevelopment proposal for 135 townhomes at the Saverna Park Golf Center, criticizing the density bonus under the Housing Attainability Act. Stated that most residents at a pre-submittal meeting were opposed. Also testified later on Bill 8125, arguing it pits multimodal improvements against road capacity improvements and reduces funding for traffic congestion mitigation. Opposed Bill 9225 as too broad and half-baked.
• Matt Minahan (Edgewater resident, Growth Action Network): Called for more transparency in land use legislation, advocating for a planning commission or rechartering the Planning Advisory Board. Later testified on Bill 8125, calling it a reversion to the mean and expressing concern about unchecked approval authority granted to the planning officer. On Bill 9225, expressed support for the concept but concern about increasing density tenfold in R1 communities not near employment or transit.
• Mr. Cork (member of the public, on Bill 8125): Supported the bill as a watered-down version that still moves in the right direction on traffic reduction, affordable living, environmental protection, population health, equitable transportation options, and economic vitality.
• Linda Hannifan Bonner (Annapolis resident, on Bill 9225): Supported the bill, recommending a maximum square footage between 700 and 1,100 square feet, a nine-month consolidated review process for affordable housing, and use as senior housing alternative to ADUs.
• Martin Mitchell (former municipal council member, on Bill 9225): Strongly supported the bill for building intergenerational communities, allowing seniors to age in place and young adults to afford homes.
• Max Gross (on behalf of the Ann Arundel County Association of Realtors, on Bill 9225): Supported the bill as a way to facilitate a broader range of housing options.
• Stephen Wadi (resident, on Bill 9225): Supported the bill, noting the need for diverse housing options and work with Councilman Smith.
• Jeff Hill (Severna Park resident, on Bill 9225): Supported the bill, suggested adding a buy-right provision.
• Paul Higgins (resident, on Bill 9225): Supported the bill but urged flexibility to allow families to build for relatives on legacy properties without being too rigid.
• Bill Hager (representing leash free living, on Bill 9325): Supported the bill, stating it recognizes the need for dispersed dog training facilities in commercial zones.

Discussion Items

• Bill 8125 as amended (Transportation Adequate Public Facilities): The administration presented updates to traffic APF standards, fees, and impact fee credits. Councilmember Ledbetter raised a question about removing council approval for school mitigation agreements. After discussion, the Office of Law noted that gifts of real property to the county are covered elsewhere in code. The bill passed with a 4-3 vote.
• Resolution 3425 (Land acquisition for bus facility): The administration requested a hold until January 5, 2026, pending Phase II environmental assessment. Councilmember Volkey expressed concerns about confidence in timing. Motion to hold passed 7-0.
• Bill 8925 (Fund transfers): Transferred funds from VLT impact aid and CAO contingency for community benefits and land acquisition. Councilmember Volkey questioned whether funds could be moved without council approval. The bill passed 7-0.
• Bill 9025 (Gift of real property): Approved acceptance of a partial gift of land in Edgewater. Councilmember Fiedler asked about timeline if related resolution is delayed. The bill passed 7-0.
• Bill 9125 (Clean energy loan program): Councilmember Rodbyan introduced the bill allowing private lenders to give loans for energy projects with minimums of $15,000 (residential) and $50,000 (commercial). An amendment setting these minimums was adopted 7-0. The bill was held to January 5, 2026.
• Bill 9225 (Cottage home development): Councilmember Smith described the bill as a tool for affordable homeownership. Public testimony was mixed: supporters praised the concept, while opponents criticized insufficient research and potential for abuse. Council discussion centered on whether LLCs could purchase multiple units and rent them, and the difficulty of monitoring income eligibility. An amendment increasing maximum square footage to 800 square feet was adopted 7-0. The bill was held to January 5, 2026.
• Bill 9325 (Dog daycare and training facilities): Councilmembers Fiedler and Pickard introduced the bill to permit such facilities in commercial and industrial zones. An amendment to keep RA and RLD residential districts as special exception was adopted 7-0. The bill was held to January 5, 2026.
• Resolution 3325 (Surplus property on Dorsey Road): The administration proposed gifting a small unimproved lot to owners who had mistakenly paid taxes on it for ~20 years. Councilmembers Volkey and Fiedler debated fairness; a motion to hold to January 5, 2026 passed 4-3.
• Resolution 3625 (Charter amendment for Office of Multicultural Affairs): Councilmember Smith proposed placing the office in the charter to ensure permanence. Discussion included concerns about future cost growth and whether such a function should remain flexible. A motion to hold the public hearing open and delay a vote until January 20, 2026 passed 7-0.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar: Minutes approved.
• Bill 8125 as amended: Passed 4-3 (four ayes, three nays).
• Resolution 3425: Held to January 5, 2026 (motion carried 7-0).
• Bill 8925: Passed 7-0.
• Bill 9025: Passed 7-0.
• Bill 9125: Amendment adopted 7-0; bill held to January 5, 2026.
• Bill 9225: Amendment adopted 7-0; bill held to January 5, 2026.
• Bill 9325: Amendment adopted 7-0; bill held to January 5, 2026.
• Resolution 3325: Motion to hold to January 5, 2026 passed 4-3.
• Resolution 3625: Motion to hold public hearing open and delay vote to January 20, 2026 passed 7-0.
• Adjournment: The council adjourned until January 5, 2026.