Anne Arundel County Council Legislative Session – January 6, 2026

The Anne Arundel County Council held its legislative session on January 6, 2026, under Chair Hummer. The raw transcript opens with a reference to a “January 5th” session, but the supplied timestamp identifies the meeting date as January 6, 2026. The council approved prior minutes, introduced six bills, held public hearings, and voted on clean-energy financing, cottage-home zoning, dog-training facilities, lead service-line replacement, a housing PILOT, a police/fire property-tax credit, and two property resolutions. The meeting ended with a unanimous vote to enter closed session and adjourned to the January 13, 2026 legislative work session.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the minutes of the December 15, 2025 legislative session by voice vote.
• Introduced Bill 1-26 (General Development Plan, Region 6), Bill 2-26 (Comprehensive Zoning, Region 6), Bill 3-26 (General Development Plan, Region 8), Bill 4-26 (Comprehensive Zoning, Region 8), Bill 5-26 (Moderately Priced Dwelling Units Density Bonus Moratorium), and Bill 6-26 (Industrial Districts Indoor Rifle, Pistol, Ski and Archery Ranges). No resolutions were introduced.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Kyle Nimhard said neighbors are not opposed to Nixon property development but called the proposed 171 townhomes an overreach and an exploitation of Bill 19-24 density-bonus legislation; he urged a one-line fix that preserves affordable housing and supports workforce housing near transit.
• Stephanie Kimbrell, attorney for Linda Sheffield Royster and Stephen Sheffi, described the seizure of their six therapy horses by county Animal Services, the lack of specific allegations, and the county’s demand of $65 per day per horse ($11,700/month); she said the owners had to obtain a circuit court injunction.
• Matt Minahan (Growth Action Network) presented the group’s priorities: citizen review of land-use legislation, an independent planning commission, staggered commission terms, transportation-impact-fee concerns, and affordable housing targeted at 80–100% of area median income.
• Michael Brown said county-owned bridges in Tanyard Springs have been closed for nearly a year, affecting 255 Sally Elementary students, 65% of whom are not bus-eligible; the county executive’s office agreed to schedule a community walk.

Discussion Items and Votes

Bill 91-25 – Clean Energy Loan Program

• The administration supported the bill, which allows the county to collect repayment of clean-energy loans through property tax bills. Finance staff said a new staff position might be needed only if participation reached roughly 100–200 loans/year and that no administrative fee is authorized. The bill passed 6-1.

Bill 92-25 – Cottage Home Development

• Sponsor Smith described the goal of creating homes in the $200,000–$250,000 range, compared with a county average home sale of about $510,000. A League of Women Voters representative testified in support, preferring transit-accessible locations; Michael Brown asked whether the bill prevents investors from purchasing homes. Amendment #2 by Councilmember Fiedler passed 7-0, requiring principal arterial road access in R1/R2, a minimum acreage, and lower density in some zones. The amended bill was deferred to January 20, 2026.

Bill 93-25 – Dog Daycare and Training Facilities

• The bill makes dog daycare/training permitted uses in commercial and lower-intensity industrial zones. Samantha Miyamoto (Leashree Living) and Phil Hager testified in support. The bill passed 7-0.

Bill 94-25 – Lead Service Line Replacement / Infrastructure Maintenance Fee

• The administration said federal law requires replacing lead service lines; about 8,000 pre-1937 properties need inspection, with an estimated 800–1,200 lines needing replacement at roughly $10,000 each. Councilmember Volkey objected to funding private lead-line replacements from the utility fund and proposed a lien; the administration declined. Public comment split: Michael Brown opposed the bill unless a lien or repayment schedule were added, while Matt Minahan supported it as a public-health investment. The bill passed 4-3.

Bill 95-25 – Little Patuxent Family PILOT

• The administration described a proposed 33-unit family apartment in Gambrills with incomes from 30% to 80% of area median income. No one testified in person. The PILOT bill passed 4-3.

Bill 96-25 – Public Safety Officer Property Tax Credit

• Sponsors Smith and Ledbetter said the bill extends the credit from 10 to 25 years. The administration reported about 1,100 public safety officers received $3.35 million in credits last year. FOP representatives supported the bill, citing staffing shortages and the upcoming switch to 12-hour patrol shifts. The bill passed 6-1.

Resolution 33-25 – Dorsey Road Surplus Property

• The administration requested approval to dispose of a 2,510-square-foot parcel acquired by tax sale in 1937 after title records became unclear. Councilmember Ledbetter opposed it as a giveaway of taxpayer resources. The resolution was adopted 4-3.

Resolution 34-25 – Edgewater and Harmans Land Acquisition

• The administration requested acquisition of a Glebe Bay property in Edgewater for park/passive recreation and a Shipley Avenue property in Harmans for a Board of Education bus facility. A Phase II environmental assessment found one arsenic sample of 8.1 mg/kg above the state threshold of 3.6 mg/kg; remediation would include capping, stormwater management, and possible contaminated-soil removal. An amendment to remove the Harmans property failed 3-4; the resolution was then adopted 5-2.

Resolution 37-25 – Council Rules Amendment

• The council amended Title II of its rules regarding the administrative assistant reporting structure. The resolution was adopted 7-0.

Key Outcomes

• Bill 91-25 as amended: passed 6-1.
• Bill 92-25 Amendment #2: adopted 7-0; bill deferred to January 20, 2026.
• Bill 93-25: passed 7-0.
• Bill 94-25: passed 4-3.
• Bill 95-25: passed 4-3.
• Bill 96-25: passed 6-1.
• Resolution 33-25: adopted 4-3.
• Resolution 34-25: adopted 5-2 after Amendment #1 failed 3-4.
• Resolution 37-25: adopted 7-0.
• Motion to enter closed session for personnel matters: passed 7-0; council adjourned to the January 13, 2026, 9 a.m. work session.