Anne Arundel County Council Legislative Session – April 6, 2026

The Anne Arundel County Council held a legislative session on April 6, 2026, addressing numerous bills, public hearings, and a veto override. The meeting covered battery energy storage, recreation code updates, fire prevention codes, outdoor lighting, school capacity, comprehensive zoning for Region 5, tax credits for child care facilities, and a veto override on a Region 6 rezoning. Public comment periods allowed residents to speak on the Marley Creek Park project, agricultural definitions, workforce housing, traffic studies, and impact fees.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Erica Lewis (Fox Chase resident) opposed the Marley Creek Park project, citing lack of transparency and minimal community engagement. She noted that 188 survey comments were against the park and that 100 homes in Fox Chase would be directly affected. She expressed that the park, even if passive, would bring noise, litter, pests, and traffic to their neighborhood.
• John Sis (Harwood resident) requested clearer language in the county code defining “farmer” and “agricultural use” to enable consistent enforcement. He described a neighbor who claimed agricultural status to operate a landscaping business, leading to conflicts unresolved by police.
• Mr. Kahn (public commenter) criticized workforce housing legislation as an “unforced error” that could erode public trust. He highlighted specific concerns: no parking requirements for workforce units, waiving school and infrastructure impact fees, and granting density bonuses without adequate roadways. He noted that Montgomery County had amended similar legislation to address infrastructure, but Anne Arundel did not.
• Paul Higgins (Past Data resident) raised safety concerns about the Jumpers Whole Road project. He cited a March 26 gap analysis study deeming gap acceptance “unacceptable” for safety. He noted that the 60% design (88 drawings) was released the same day as the study, limiting review time. He identified issues with roadway widths, stop bar placement, crosswalk offsets, and construction phasing.
• Kurt Svensson (Arnold resident) presented part 2 and 3 of a series on impact fees, highlighting that the 2023 impact fee cost study changed a decades-long calculation method. For a 3-bedroom single-family detached unit, the previous study assumed 32 miles of travel per day, but the 2023 study used only 7.83 miles per day—a difference he said does not “pass the laugh test.” He urged transparent comparison of the two methods.

Discussion Items

Bills 326 and 426: Region 8 Plan and Comprehensive Zoning

• The bills adopt the general development plan and comprehensive zoning for Region 8 (Davidsonville, Harwood, Lothian, and other areas). The joint public hearing yielded no testimony. The council voted 6–0 (one absent) to pass both bills as amended.

Bill 926: Battery Energy Storage Systems (Conditional Uses)

• Ethan Hunt (Administration) presented the bill, which adds battery energy storage systems (BESS) to the county code. Christina Pompa (Planning and Zoning) thanked stakeholders for the collaborative process. Amendment 6 was introduced to align with state preemption law, making front-of-the-meter BESS a special exception in residential districts.
• Public testimony:
  • Adam Dubitsky (Land and Liberty Coalition of Maryland) supported the amendment, stating it ensures the county can use this technology for grid reliability, especially given critical infrastructure in the region.
  • Kira Wheatley (representing CME Mar LLC) urged passage, noting the bill’s importance for compliance with the state Renewable Energy Certainty Act. She said the amendment reflects listening to concerns and that the bill expires April 25, making tonight the final opportunity for amendments.
  • Emily Strobach (Granite Source Power) encouraged support, emphasizing grid reliability, tax revenue, and strict safety requirements.
• Council discussion: Councilmember Fiedler noted her initial safety concerns were mollified after learning about fire department preparedness. She suggested future exploration of conditional use in residential areas and critical area buffer distances. Councilmember Pickard asked about state preemption, and the Office of Law confirmed the amendment meets state requirements. The amendment was adopted 6–0; the bill as amended will be heard for final passage on April 20.

Bill 1126: Recreation and Parks Code Revision (Article 14)

• Ethan Hunt presented the bill, which updates county regulations to align with state law on e-bikes, scooters, and drones, strengthens environmental protections, refines safety rules, and improves operational efficiency. An appeal process for director decisions was added.
• Councilmember Fiedler acknowledged she does not love all provisions (e.g., ban on balloons and glitter) but highlighted e-bike enforcement as important. Councilmember Volke appreciated the appeal process and noted codification gives the council future control as society changes. The bill passed 6–0.

Bill 1326: Fire Prevention Code Amendments

• Ethan Hunt presented the bill, which adopts the 2024 NFPA 1 and NFPA 101 standards, replacing codes two cycles out of date. It addresses new technology and consistency with state law. No public testimony was given; the bill passed 6–0.

Bill 1526: Outdoor Lighting Zoning

• Councilmember Fiedler explained the bill extends existing residential lighting restrictions to commercial and industrial properties that abut residential zones, allowing enforcement when lights shine onto neighboring homes. Councilmember Smith questioned if uplighting on a building would be allowed; Office of Law clarified the bill applies to non-residential, and the light feature must be pointed downward, with judgment calls by enforcement officers. The bill passed 6–0.

Bill 1626: School Utilization Chart Update

• Ethan Hunt stated the bill updates the chart with 2025 fall enrollment and projections, determining school capacity status. No public testimony; passed 6–0.

Bills 1726 and 1826: Region 5 Plan and Comprehensive Zoning

• Ethan Hunt presented the bills for Region 5 (Odenton, Crofton, Two Rivers, etc.). This was the first public hearing; amendment discussion followed.
• Joint public testimony (over 70 written comments received):
  • Ed Real (Friends of Two Rivers) supported Bill 1826, urging downzoning Parcels N and O to open space per a 2016 agreement. He cited a homeowners survey: 83% opposed new homes on Parcel O.
  • Jim Holman supported the bills as recommended, noting the county’s legal counsel advised non-involvement in private covenant disputes.
  • Joy Mooney and Brian Kaufman requested rezoning of their property to C4 for a classic car restoration business.
  • Megan Rapolt (Venable LLP, for Vulcan Materials) requested rezoning to W3 to align with an existing concrete batch plant (operating since 1988).
  • Judy Wagner (Two Rivers resident) supported downzoning Parcel O, arguing the developer promised open space in marketing materials and official filings.
  • Other speakers (Karen Eggloff, Chuck Brown, Susan James, Kathy Fleshman, John Holler, Barbara Klotz, Patty Shunny, Fred Circo) expressed various positions: opposing additional homes in Two Rivers citing infrastructure strain; supporting C4 for family businesses; questioning access and compatibility.
• Amendments and votes:
  • Amendment 1 to 1826 (1852 Jackson Grove Rd, W2 to W3): Supported by Councilmember Pickard to rectify non-conforming use for concrete plant. OPZ did not object. Adopted 6–0.
  • Amendment 2 to 1826 (1318-1324 Defense Hwy, C1 to C4): Supported by Councilmember Ledbetter to align zoning with existing automotive business. OPZ did not object but noted a conservative C1 recommendation due to public feedback. Councilmember Volke expressed confusion about the process. Adopted 5–0–1 (Volke abstained).
  • Amendment 1 to 1726 (1079A Route 3 North, commercial): Supported by Councilmember Ledbetter to allow a classic car restoration business. OPZ opposed, citing incompatibility with surrounding R5 uses and recommending a future corridor study. Council debate centered on access, buffer requirements, and whether a text amendment or smaller split could work. Defeated 3–3 (Ledbetter, Pickard, Smith for; Rodbian, Volke, Fiedler against; Hummer absent).
• Outcome: Bill 1726 held until April 20; Bill 1826 as amended will be heard again on April 20.

Bill 1926: Tax Credit for Daycare/Child Care Property Improvements

• Councilmember Rodbian introduced the bill, which implements state enabling legislation to provide a property tax credit for facilities used for child care, adult day care, or elderly day care. She emphasized the need to support child care businesses operating on thin margins.
• Discussion: Councilmember Volke questioned whether the credit benefits owners rather than workers. Deputy County Attorney Lori Blair explained the credit applies to the portion of property used exclusively for the facility, and the state law does not distinguish between owner-occupied and leased. Councilmember Smith clarified the credit is for improvements; Office of Law noted the amendment broadens it to cover any portion of property used for such facilities. The administration supported the bill.
• Public testimony: None.
• Amendments: Amendment 1 (conforming to state law, requiring licensure, exclusive use) adopted 6–0. Amendment 2 (setting 10-year duration; credit terminates if use changes) adopted 6–0. Bill as amended to be heard April 20.

Veto Override: County Executive’s Veto of Amendment 6 to Bill 226 (Region 6 Rezoning)

• The County Council had previously passed amendment 6 to Bill 226 (comprehensive rezoning Region 6), changing a property at 1182 Honeysuckle Lane from RA (Rural Agricultural) to RLD (Residential Low Density). The County Executive vetoed the amendment on April 2.
• Councilmember Rodbian moved to override, arguing the property’s size made RLD more appropriate than surrounding RA parcels. She reminded colleagues that the original vote was 7–0. The council voted 6–0 to override the veto, then voted 6–0 to adopt the amendment. Bill 226 as amended will take effect May 17; amendment 6 will take effect May 21.

Key Outcomes

• Bills passed: 326 and 426 (Region 8 plan and zoning), 1126 (recreation code), 1326 (fire prevention code), 1526 (outdoor lighting), 1626 (school utilization chart) – all by 6–0.
• Bill 926 (battery storage): Amendment 6 adopted 6–0; bill to be heard April 20.
• Bill 1926 (child care tax credit): Amendments 1 and 2 adopted 6–0; bill to be heard April 20.
• Bill 1726 (Region 5 plan): Amendment 1 defeated 3–3; bill held until April 20.
• Bill 1826 (Region 5 zoning): Amendments 1 and 2 adopted (6–0 and 5–0–1); amended bill to be heard April 20.
• Veto override (Amendment 6 to Bill 226): Override and amendment adopted 6–0; amendment effective May 21, bill effective May 17.