Baltimore County Council Legislative Session: Appointments, Zoning, Data Center Moratorium, and Immigrant Rights Bills (2026-01-14)

On January 14, 2026, the Baltimore County Council convened a lengthy legislative session beginning at 5:01 PM. The meeting covered appointments, multiple fiscal contracts, zoning amendments, a proposed data center moratorium, a special investigative committee for a logistics park, and two major bills related to immigrant affairs. Public testimony was heard on several items, with robust debate on data centers, the Middle River project, and immigrant protections.

Consent Calendar

• Appointment of Robin Campbell to the Baltimore County Advisory Committee on Public School Capacity, nominated by Councilman Ketch. Campbell, a parent of public school students and involved in boundary studies, expressed a commitment to transparent deliberation on school overcrowding. The appointment was approved unanimously.
• Fiscal Contracts:
  • Contract with Karma Ventures for leasing space at the Essex Health Center (8,616 sq ft, five-year lease) for the Center for Family Success, WIC, and health center. Approved.
  • Amendment to contract with National Testing Network to expand scope to include entry-level corrections examinations, increasing compensation by $16,350. Approved.
  • Contract with Hazen and Sawyer for the EPA Lead and Copper Rule program (LCRR), a 10-year contract estimated at $100,000 per year, to compile inventory of 200,000 service lines, manage replacements, and conduct community outreach. Approved.
  • Agreements with six contractors for snow removal services (five-year contract with four one-year renewals). Approved.
• Bill 9-25: Professional Development Fund Grant for the Department of Corrections' "Leading Under Pressure" training program, funded by the Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commission. Approved.
• Bill 1-26 (Supplemental): MRC Strong – federal funds ($104,424) for Medical Reserve Corps recruitment, training, and outreach. Approved.
• Bill 2-26 (Supplemental): Perinatal Care Coordination Infrastructure Expansion Grant ($300,000) to support 23 positions and data infrastructure for reducing low birth weights and postpartum complications. Approved.
• Resolution 2-26: Removal of the Benji's Walter park parcel from the county's surplus property list. Approved.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Data Center Moratorium (Bill 3-26): Multiple residents and advocates testified in favor, citing environmental concerns, energy and water consumption, and equity issues. Ruben Amaya highlighted the need for community impact studies. Chris Mudd (representing a property owner in Woodlawn) acknowledged the need for study but requested collaboration. Several community members urged the council to pass the moratorium and correct previous zoning (Bill 5-24).
• Middle River Logistics Park (Resolution 1-26): Wilson Point residents expressed outrage at the lack of notice and community input. David Abassi (Wilson Point Civic Association) described traffic and flooding concerns. Donna Dorfer highlighted trash and safety issues. Ray Goins (Trammell Crow Co.) defended the project as a $90 million investment with proper approvals. Adam Rosenblatt (former property owner) argued the process was legal and the downzoning attempt would have made the property valueless.
• University Housing Rental Density (Bill 92-25): Sarah Judd, Justin Levy, and Tracy Markantoni (Berkeley Square residents) testified in favor, citing investor-driven churn, rats, and neighborhood decline. Sonia Jones and Heather Pratt (Towson Mews HOA) requested exemptions for HOAs with strong enforcement. Sharonda Hoffman urged caution and data-driven policy.
• Downtown Towson Tree Replacement (Bill 95-25): Beth Miller (Green Towson Alliance) supported the bill but proposed amendments to preserve the DT overlay's tree replacement requirements when the Forest Conservation Act does not apply.
• Bills 97-25 and 98-25 (Immigrant Affairs): Extended public testimony included:
  • Support: Donna Badkis, Yara Sheikh, Fran Glushikow, Alice Weisco, Imam Habib, Bilal Scaryar, Maureen Wambui, Maricruz Avarca, Daniela Preciado (Tahay Justice Center), Alice Barrett (CASA), Wilmer Mancovar, Stephanie Wolf (Maryland OPD), Joanna Silver, Abigail Cohen, Ruben Amaya, Alejandra Balcazar, and others. They emphasized economic contributions, fear in immigrant communities, due process, and the need to codify the Office of Immigrant Affairs and limit ICE cooperation.
  • Opposition: Glenn Gilhar, Zalika Bazemore, Deborah Hill, Tim Fazenbaker, Tammy Nobles (mother of Kayla Hamilton), Celia Vasquez Hall, Ken Fitch, and others argued that the bills would protect criminals, undermine federal law, and reduce public safety. They cited specific tragedies and warned of lost federal funding.

Discussion Items

• Bill 3-26 (Data Center Moratorium): Councilman Young introduced the bill, establishing a temporary moratorium on data centers until January 1, 2027, and requiring the Planning Board to study impacts and report by October 1, 2026. Councilman Patoka questioned whether it corrects Bill 5-24 (passed July 2024), which restricted data centers to east of Pulaski Highway or south of Liberty Road. Patoka announced he would introduce a bill to remove that geographic restriction. Councilman Ketch and Crandall expressed support for the moratorium. Councilman Crandall suggested an amendment. No vote was taken.
• Bill 4-26 (Zoning – Houses of Worship): Councilman Patoka explained the bill updates outdated zoning from the 1970s that restricts certain religious institutions, particularly synagogues in the Orthodox Jewish community. Councilman Jones questioned necessity given federal RLUIPA. Patoka argued it is necessary.
• Resolution 1-26 (Middle River Logistics Park): Councilman Marks proposed a special investigative committee to review the accelerated permitting process for the Middle River Logistics Park, questioning whether the limited exemption was properly granted during the CZMP. Pete Gutwald (DPW&T) detailed the timeline, stating the process followed code. Councilman Marks argued for oversight and potential CZMP process improvements. Councilman Young questioned the need for a project-specific investigation. No vote.
• Bill 92-25 (University Housing Rental Density): Chairman Ortell introduced the bill as a pilot program within a one-mile radius of Towson University, capping rentals at 30% of homes in the zone to curb investor-driven conversions and student overcrowding. Exceptions include hardship rentals. Councilman Ketch raised fire safety concerns about basement bedrooms. Councilman Jones questioned impacts on property rights and displacement. Public testimony included both strong support and requests for HOA exemptions. No vote.
• Bill 93-25 (Development Impact Fee Exemptions for Affordable Housing): Chairman Ortell briefly presented the bill. Councilman Crandall expressed opposition, arguing affordable housing units have the same infrastructure impact. No vote.
• Bill 95-25 (Downtown Towson Tree Replacement): Chairman Ortell clarified the bill ensures state Forest Conservation Act applies when triggered, but the DT overlay's tree replacement requirements still apply. Beth Miller requested an amendment. No vote.
• Bills 97-25 and 98-25 (Immigrant Affairs): Councilman Patoka presented both bills. Bill 97-25 codifies the Office of Immigrant Affairs, establishing a chief and language access coordinator. Bill 98-25 (Trust Act) prohibits county agencies from using resources for civil immigration enforcement unless required by law, and requires reporting on ICE interactions. Councilman Jones added as co-sponsor and gave a passionate speech in support. The council heard extensive testimony. No vote was taken.

Key Outcomes

• Appointments and fiscal contracts were approved unanimously.
• Bill 1-26, 2-26, 9-25, snow removal contracts, and Resolution 2-26 were approved.
• No votes taken on Bills 3-26, 4-26, 92-25, 93-25, 95-25, 97-25, 98-25, or Resolution 1-26; these items remain pending for future work sessions.
• Councilman Patoka announced plans to introduce a separate bill to remove geographic restrictions on data centers from Bill 5-24.
• Councilman Jones added as co-sponsor to Bills 97-25 and 98-25.
• Councilman Young and others added as co-sponsors to Bill 3-26.
• The meeting adjourned after approximately 5.5 hours, with the chair thanking all participants for their testimony.