Baltimore County Council Work Session - October 29, 2025
Baltimore County Council Work Session - October 29, 2025
The Baltimore County Council held a work session on October 29, 2025, in preparation for the legislative session of November 3, 2025. The meeting covered reappointments to the Planning Board, multiple resolutions and contracts, and introduced seven bills addressing zoning, code enforcement, energy storage, sewage projects, and restaurant hours. Public testimony was heard on several items. No final votes were taken; actions are expected at the November 3 legislative session.
Consent Calendar
- Reappointments to Planning Board: Peter Array (Councilman Urtel's appointee) and Mark Heckman (Councilman Patoka's appointee) were interviewed and approved without opposition.
- Resolution 5325 – Donation to Bureau of Animal Services: Accepted $8,021 from the estate of Mary Fredlude for animal supply purchases.
- Purchase Order – AV Equipment for Fire Department: Authorized a one-time contract via Virginia IT Agency for installation of audio-visual equipment in the fire department's Hampton room, replacing an end-of-life system.
- Amendment to Prime Care Medical Contract: Approved addition of medications for opiate use disorder to the detention center's health services, funded through opioid abatement funds.
- Contract for Easement – Carney Rod and Gun Club: Approved acquisition of 0.778 acres (drainage/utility easements and temporary construction areas) for $12,260 as part of the Jennifer Branch Relief Sewer Project.
- Contract for Ergo Flex Systems: Approved $163,983 two-year contract for extended warranty and repair services for 911 dispatch consoles.
- DPWT Contracts: Approved three contracts for roll-off containers (community cleanup) totaling $1.185 million over five years, and four contracts for heavy equipment rentals (landfill operations) totaling $80,000 over five years.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Bill 73-25 (Artisan Manufacturing Zoning): Chrissy Erb, Executive Director of Essex Community Development Corporation, testified in support, stating the bill would help small-scale entrepreneurs and activate vacant storefronts. She identified over a dozen local businesses that would immediately benefit.
- Bill 76-25 (Energy Storage Devices):
- Kevin Day (Foresight Renewables) opposed the bill's original moratorium, detailing a $100-300 million battery storage project at the former CP Crane site. He emphasized environmental benefits and grid support.
- Polly Afuano (Baltimore Gas & Electric) supported battery storage, warning of rising electricity costs and reliability crises. He noted PJM declared 11 emergency events in 2025 vs. 7 in prior 10 years.
- Bill 77-25 (Planning Sewage Projects – Property Owner Obligations):
- Mark Moore, Bob Swoderski, Rosemary Lazzati, and Joe DeSantis (residents of Perry Hall Manor) testified in favor, describing a sewer project that changed from a mixed gravity/grinder pump system to all grinder pumps, with costs shifting from $4,000 to potentially $40,000 per household. They argued the county did not provide adequate information and that residents should have the option to opt out if their septic system is functional.
- Lauren Buckler (Director of DPWT) testified in opposition, explaining the project's health basis, cost sharing, and that the bill would prevent future petition projects. She noted 21 failing septic systems and 92 of 129 properties voluntarily opted in.
- Bill 72-25 (Restaurant Hours in Honeygo Area):
- Opponents: Ron Shaftel (Southern Land Company), Paul Mazza (Denny's operator), Brendan Mahoney (Restaurant Association of Maryland), Adam Rosenblatt (attorney), David Altfeld (co-owner) argued the bill unfairly targeted a single vested development project, would set a dangerous precedent, and harm business investment.
- Supporters: Sue Sachs, Angela Kisnik, Dan Williams (Forge Reserve HOA), Thomas Costello, and Tony Aquia (Tony Akeah) testified that a 24-hour restaurant would exacerbate noise, crime, and traffic from the existing 24-hour Wawa. They emphasized the bill was about protecting residential quality of life, not opposing Denny's.
Discussion Items
- Bill 73-25 – Artisan Manufacturing Zoning: Director Lafferty presented the bill to allow artisan manufacturing in business zones within commercial revitalization districts. Council members Crandall, Patoka, and Jones added as sponsors. The bill would permit fabricators, makerspaces, and commercial kitchens (≤10,000 sq ft, ≤25 employees).
- Bill 74-25 – Co-Working with Commercial Kitchen (Overly Area): Chairman Urtel introduced the bill to clarify that commercial kitchens can operate in conjunction with co-working spaces in the Overly-Rossville CRD. Brad Kroener (Administration) spoke in favor, suggesting broader applicability. Councilman Marks expressed support.
- Bill 75-25 – Code Enforcement Entry for Livability Violations: Chairman Urtel introduced the bill to allow code officials to enter rental properties with tenant permission to investigate unauthorized rooming/boarding houses, fire safety violations, or bedroom discrepancies. Council discussed enforcement procedures.
- Bill 76-25 – Energy Storage Devices: Councilman Marks announced an amendment to remove the moratorium, instead directing the Department of Planning to review current regulations (noise, landscaping, best practices). Council discussed preemption by state law and BGE's role.
- Bill 77-25 – Planning Sewage Projects: Extensive debate about Perry Hall Manor sewer project. Councilman Marks acknowledged the project's design changed significantly and that communication was poor. Director Buckler explained the technical and financial constraints. Council agreed to continue working on the bill.
- Bill 71-25 – Open Space Fee in Lieu: Brief discussion to correct zoning classification issues for mixed-use and senior housing districts; no controversy.
- Bill 72-25 – Restaurant Hours in Honeygo Area: Councilman Marks defended the bill as protection for residents who purchased homes without knowledge of a potential 24-hour restaurant. Opponents argued vested rights and legal risks. Councilman Jones questioned possible compromises (landscaping, security). No resolution reached.
- Resolution 5125 – PUD at Red Run Meadows: Councilman Jones presented a plan for 126 homes on 26 acres with reduced density and community benefits to be finalized.
Key Outcomes
- Consent items approved: All reappointments, resolutions, and contracts passed without objection.
- Bills introduced: 73-25, 74-25, 75-25, 76-25, 77-25, 71-25, 72-25 were all introduced and discussed; none received final votes.
- Bill 76-25 amended: Councilman Marks committed to offering an amendment removing the moratorium and directing a planning review.
- Bill 77-25 under revision: Councilman Marks and Director Buckler agreed to continue negotiations. The auditor (Liz Irwin) will be involved.
- Bill 72-25 remains contentious: Council will consider legal and policy implications before legislative session.
- Next steps: All items are scheduled for final action at the November 3, 2025 legislative session.
Meeting Transcript
We'll now come to order. This is the work session for the legislative session of November 3rd, 2025. And I know at least two of our colleagues are on their way in, but we'll get started. First up, we have a reappointment to the planning board. This is actually my planning board member, Mr. Peter Array is there's Peter. Mr. Array, how are you? I thought you might be online. I couldn't, I didn't see you back there. You were hiding. So Peter is uh Peter is uh been on the planning board for a couple years, but you just hit the green button there, Peter. And um he is I think this is your third appointment, correct? Your actually is my first. Your first. Yes, by you. Uh the first appointment was by uh uh councilwoman Bivens and I came into complete term of someone that uh stepped down. This is actually my reforming by you. Yes, sir. So Peter, did you want to tell my colleagues a little bit about you? Because I know all about you. My name is Peter Array, and um I am a retired state and government employee. I did uh 31 years with uh Mayorland State government and transportation. In fact, I even worked with uh Councilman David Marks for four years at Trump Putation, and I I was the chief of dignity contracting in telecom uh for the Transportation Department, and I retired nine years ago, and I'd love to serve the public and the community. I am a community leader in Rosedale and uh in my church, and so when this opportunity came and I was very happy to serve the public. I love Baltimore County, you say Great County. Uh so that is thank you to uh Mr. Chair there for reappointing me. Okay. Um any questions for Peter? Peter, we appreciate you coming in today, and we look forward to your reappointment on the board. And um thank you, sir. That was easy. Thank you very much. We don't have an easy button up there. This is the easiest interview I've had. Thank you. Thank you, sir. And then we have we also have another reappointment to the planning board. This is uh Councilman Potoka's uh planning board person, Mr. Mark Heckman. And Mark's already on the way to the box. Good evening, Mr. Heckman. How are you? Uh sure. My name is Mark Heckman. I am uh practicing architect and have been for the last 40 years. Um I specialize in the design of senior living communities. And all throughout my career, I have always been involved in uh boards of nonprofits.
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