Baltimore County Council Legislative Day 16 – October 8, 2025

The Baltimore County Council held Legislative Day 16 on October 8, 2025, starting at approximately 7:00 PM. The meeting included final votes on a dozen bills, extensive debate on a revitalization tax credit and hookah lounge security, and public testimony dominated by anger over the county executive's decision to halt negotiations for a new library in Middle River. The council approved a historic preservation bill, a tax incentive for two major developments, and other routine items, while one bill was withdrawn and several amendments were adopted.

Enrollment, Introduction, and Consent-Like Approvals

• Journal: The minutes of the September 15, 2025 meeting were approved unanimously.
• Enrolled Bills: Bills 51-25 (passed by council, signed by executive), 54-25 (returned unsigned by executive), and 55-25 (passed by council) were enrolled.
• Bills for Introduction: Five new bills were introduced (Bills 68-25 through 72-25), covering transportation budgets, open space fees, and Honeygo restaurant hours.
• Final Passage – No Debate: The following bills passed unanimously without significant discussion:
  • Bill 56-25 (opioid restitution funding FY2026) – passed 7-0.
  • Bill 57-25 (cold case testing private grant) – passed 7-0.
  • Bill 58-25 (AIDS case management) – passed 7-0.
  • Bill 60-25 (zoning – hair braiding in residential office zones) – passed 7-0.
  • Bill 63-25 (zoning – first floor apartments in CCC overlay) – passed 7-0.
  • Bill 64-25 (wastewater charge review period extension) – passed 7-0.
• Fiscal Matters: Seven contracts (Fiscal Matters 1-5, 7-8) were approved collectively on a vote of 7-0.

Discussion Items and Key Debates

Bill 52-25 – Historic Preservation / Demolition Permits

• Sponsors: Councilmembers Patoka and Marks.
• Purpose: Prevent demolition of historic structures by adding a council review step and extending the Landmarks Preservation Commission’s ability to delay demolition permits.
• Amendments: Two amendments passed. The first required the council to vote affirmatively within 90 days on preliminary landmark lists (rather than automatic removal) and gave the LPC power to delay a demolition permit for at least 90 days. The second grandfathered projects already in the pipeline (PUDs with adopted resolutions or demolition permits filed before the effective date). Both amendments passed unanimously.
• Final Vote: Bill 52-25 as amended passed 6-0 (one absent).

Bill 53-25 – Floodplain Ordinance

• Councilman Marks withdrew the bill, stating he hoped to work with the administration on the issue rather than proceed with legislation.

Bill 59-25 – Zoning Exceptions (Jewish Day School Addition)

• Sponsor: Councilman Patoka.
• Purpose: Allow a one-time addition to an existing private school in a residential transition area, specifically a Jewish day school on Sudbrook Lane.
• Amendment: Clarified the exception is for a one-time addition to an existing private school. Passed 6-0.
• Final Vote: Passed 6-0.

Bill 61-25 – Revitalization Tax Credit (Owings Mills & Woodlawn)

• Sponsors: Councilmembers Jones and Young.
• Purpose: Expand the county’s revitalization property tax credit to two large, transit-oriented development areas (Metro Center in Owings Mills and Security Square Mall in Woodlawn), offering up to 30-year credits for projects with at least 10% affordable housing set-aside at 60% AMI for 30 years, and 20-year credits for improvements over $10 million.
• Debate: Administration representative Samir Sid testified in favor, emphasizing project size and unique CT zoning. Councilman Marks expressed frustration that the administration simultaneously supported this tax credit while ending negotiations for a Middle River library, a decision he called “tone-deaf.” Marks noted the library project had been in negotiation for less time than these developments. Councilman Crandall introduced an amendment clarifying that tax increment financing (TIF) cannot be combined with the credit unless the administrator certifies the improvements are not needed to secure TIF debt. The amendment passed 6-0.
• Final Vote: Bill 61-25 as amended passed 6-0 (Councilman Ketch absent).

Bill 62-25 – Hookah/Vapor Lounge Security

• Sponsor: Councilman Ketch (absent).
• Purpose: Require security personnel at hookah and vapor lounges during all hours of operation.
• Amendments:
  1. Councilman Ketch’s amendment (introduced by proxy) set quantitative staffing: minimum two licensed security guards, plus one guard per 50 persons based on fire code capacity. Passed 6-0.
  2. Councilman Jones’ amendment to limit security requirement to 7 PM–midnight failed on a 3-3 tie (Urtell, Young, Jones for; Patoka, Marks, Crandall against).
  3. After suspending rules, Councilman Marks’ amendment requiring security from 7 PM until one hour after closing passed 4-2 (Urtell, Jones, Marks, Patoka aye; Crandall, Young no).
• Urtell Amendment: Grandfathered hookah lounges that were operating before the original 200-foot setback law from that distance requirement, provided they were in continuous operation at that location. Passed 6-0.
• Final Vote: Bill 62-25 as amended passed 6-0. Councilman Crandall voted against the last amendment and noted the bill sponsor was absent.

Bill 65-25 – Historic Preservation Appeals

• Sponsor: Councilman Marks.
• Purpose: Allow appeals of Landmarks Preservation Commission decisions to the County Board of Appeals.
• Amendments:
  1. Changed appeals from “on the record” to “de novo” (new hearing). Passed 6-0.
  2. Allowed both property owners and preservation advocates to appeal LPC decisions (preliminary list approval or denial). Passed 6-0.
• Final Vote: Bill 65-25 as amended passed 6-0.

Bill 66-25 – Landmarks Preservation Commission Meetings

• Councilman Marks withdrew the bill after the administration agreed to revise LPC procedures to allow hybrid meetings and improve stakeholder participation by the end of 2025.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Middle River Library: Multiple residents (Josh Sines, Mary Clink, Janatus Barnett, Tamara Gunter, Ronald White, Alex Montaneo, Sujata Chakra Burti) spoke passionately in favor of a public-private partnership library in the Greenlee development. They criticized the county executive’s decision to end negotiations, called it “tone-deaf,” and urged the council to keep discussions alive. Speakers noted the library would be partially funded by the developer, would spur economic growth, and serve a community lacking library access.
• Bill 67-25 (Not on agenda for vote that night): Paul Dongera testified against a bill (not yet voted on) that would allow construction equipment storage on an OR1 zone. He alleged the bill was introduced to benefit a developer with a poor compliance history and urged its rejection.
• Resolution 49-25 (Days Cove Landfill): Theo LeGadour (Gunpowder Riverkeeper) testified in support of a resolution to oppose a Maryland Department of the Environment permit for the Days Cove reclamation facility, citing weaker standards than the previous permit and environmental risks.

Key Outcomes

• Bills Passed: 52-25 (historic preservation), 56-25, 57-25, 58-25, 59-25, 60-25, 61-25 (tax credit), 62-25 (hookah security), 63-25, 64-25, 65-25 (historic appeals).
• Bills Withdrawn: 53-25 (floodplain) and 66-25 (LPC meetings).
• Defeated Amendments: Jones’ time-limited security amendment for hookah lounges failed 3-3.
• Resolutions Introduced: Resolutions 47-25 through 51-25 (including Days Cove opposition) were read for introduction; voting will occur at a later meeting.
• Council Directions: The administration committed to revise LPC meeting rules by end of 2025. Numerous council members pledged to continue advocating for the Middle River library during the upcoming budget cycle.
• Absences: Councilman Ketch was absent for the entire meeting.