Baltimore County Council Work Session on Legislative Day 14 - July 1, 2026

The Baltimore County Council held a work session on July 1, 2026, starting at 4:07 PM, to review appointments, budget transfers, contracts, and several bills. The meeting covered reappointments to various boards, a police department budget appropriation transfer (BAT) of $4,667,222, contracts for DNA testing and waste processing, and discussions on zoning bills, food truck regulations, and a planned unit development (PUD). Public testimony was heard on several items.

Consent Calendar

• Reappointment of Eric Hattaway to the Baltimore County Soil Conservation District Board. Hattaway, appointed in 2019, reported attending nearly all meetings except about three, serving as treasurer. No questions from council.
• Appointment of Carol Ann Sharp to the Advisory Committee on Public School Capacity. Sharp is a teacher at Woodlawn High School, a Baltimore County resident since 1997, and has four children who attended county schools. She also serves on the governor's executive committee for trail maintenance.
• Appointment of Laura Callins to the Baltimore County Ethics Commission. Callins is a lifelong county resident and attorney with 30+ years in government affairs, currently working for the National Conference of State Legislatures. She replaces Hunter Peel, who was elevated to chair.
• Reappointment of Scott Richmond to the Police Accountability Board (Chairman's appointment). Richmond was not present.
• Appointment of Zoe Robinson Borowski to the Animal Hearing Board. Borowski has lived in Maryland for 35 years, owns pet crematories and cemeteries, and volunteered with rescue organizations.
• Reappointment of Jacqueline Scotto to the Animal Hearing Board. Scotto has served six years and is current chairperson.
• Appointment of Hunter Peel as Chair of the Baltimore County Ethics Commission. Peel is a county resident and real estate attorney with 20+ years of practice.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Scott Cooper (contract purchaser of 6314 Falls Road) opposed Bill 6226, stating his company had invested over $100,000 in a self-storage proposal. He asked the council not to change rules mid-process, noting the project is under appeal.
• Adam Rosenblatt (attorney for Cooper) reiterated the investment and argued that changing rules mid-process is unfair to businesses. He noted the use is permitted by right in the BM zone and asked to let the Board of Appeals process continue.
• Michael McCann (representing community associations) supported Bill 6226, saying the community opposes a four-story storage facility on Falls Road, which has a village feel. He noted the project has no current approvals and the bill is even-handed.
• Veronica Santiago (on Bill 6426) supported gender-neutral language in the county code, asking council to vote yes.
• Miss Malone (representing St. John Properties) proposed amendments to Bill 6526, citing a prior incident where a food truck smoker infiltrated HVAC at a surgery center. She suggested limiting food trucks to six hours in a 24-hour period, increasing distance from restaurants to 300 feet, and requiring attachments stay with the truck.
• Saronda Hoffman spoke on Bill 6626, questioning why site plan review is being changed for six homes and raising a concern about listing a blind person's name on the agenda.
• Alexis Carroll (Randallstown resident) opposed Resolution 1626 (Harmony Woods PUD), citing privacy concerns from townhomes visible into her yard, traffic on Church Lane, and insufficient community input.
• Nadisha (Church Lane resident) opposed Harmony Woods PUD, citing environmental concerns (stormwater runoff, flooding), loss of forest, increased strain on infrastructure, and traffic safety on a blind corner.

Discussion Items

• Police Budget Appropriation Transfer (BAT): Colonel Matthew Gorman presented a request for $4,667,222 due to higher-than-budgeted retiree payouts ($9 million actual vs $3.5 million budgeted) and overtime costs from staffing shortages. There were 215 separations in FY26 against a projection of 187 (13% more). Current sworn vacancies: 184; 200 members in training with 55 graduating in mid-July. Overtime pressure will continue for 12-16 months. Councilman Marks thanked increased presence at White Marsh.
• Contract for Genetic Testing Services: Major Wes Fisher presented a one-year contract with Othram Inc. for forensic investigative genetic genealogy DNA testing, with four annual renewal options. The department spent $13,000 last year. No samples have been sent since the prior contract expired in April.
• Yard Waste Recycling and Composting Contracts: Tony Russell presented two contracts: (1) Sustainable Generation for solar-powered compost equipment lease ($367,000 over five years) producing 600 tons annually with capacity up to 1,900 tons, costing $65/ton for commercial disposal; (2) Hollix Organic for yard waste processing at Cockeysville facility (5,000 tons/year at $25/ton, a $5/ton increase). The county saved $40,000 by contracting directly instead of through MES.
• Drainage Easement Acquisitions: John Herbst presented two property acquisitions: 4534 Silver Spring Road (drainage easement, $120,980) and 1465 Moores Lane ($96,800). Both are in Councilman Marks' district. Herbst explained the increased cost on the first property due to tree removal negotiations over two years.
• Bill 6226 - Zoning Regulations on Scenic Byways: Councilman Patoka introduced bill to prohibit warehouses and compartmentalized warehouses in the BM zone along Maryland Scenic Byways (Star Spangled Banner, Historic National Road, Falls Road, Horses & Hounds, Mason & Dixon, Baltimore Historic Charles Street). Discussion centered on whether the bill targets a project already in process (appeal of denied variances). Councilman Crandall raised the conundrum of changing rules mid-process.
• Bill 6426 - General Provisions, Gender-Specific Terms: Brad Croner presented a bill from the decennial code review to make county code gender-neutral, consistent with Maryland drafting standards and the 2017 Charter Review Commission.
• Bill 6526 - Food Trucks Definitions and Prohibitions: Sally Nash presented a bill to simplify food truck definitions to match the health department, consolidating applications. Existing 200-foot distance rule from brick-and-mortar restaurants remains. Councilman Crandall discussed enforcement challenges and proliferation of food trucks in his district. Councilman Marks proposed an amendment regarding smokers.
• Bill 6626 - Honeygo Gateway Commercial Revitalization District: Councilman Marks presented a bill to remove six residential homes in the Honeygo area from Design Review Panel (DRP) oversight, while retaining DRP for commercial areas. The homes are under Honeygo design guidelines. Councilman Marks noted a letter of support from the homeowners association.
• Bill 76 26 - Zoning Regulations, Uses Permitted in DR55 Zone: Chairman introduced a bill allowing a catering hall at a former American Legion property in Rosedale (DR55 zone) that has been there since 1955. The bill is limited to properties existing since 1955 to avoid countywide impact.
• Resolution 1626 - Harmony Woods Planned Unit Development (PUD): Councilman Jones presented a proposal for 182 homes (single-family, townhomes) on Church Lane in Randallstown, replacing a previously approved apartment project. Community benefits include a marquee sign at Church Lane Elementary School and bike racks. Councilman Jones acknowledged speakers' concerns and will follow up with the developer.

Key Outcomes

• All appointments and reappointments were discussed and will be voted on at the next legislative meeting; no opposition was expressed.
• The police BAT, contracts for DNA testing and waste processing, and drainage easement acquisitions will be voted on at the next legislative meeting.
• Bill 6226 remains under discussion; no decision was made. Council discussed fairness of changing rules during an active appeal.
• Bill 6526 may be amended to include restrictions on food trucks (six-hour limit, 300-foot distance, smoker requirements) as suggested by Miss Malone and Councilman Marks.
• Bill 6626 is expected to pass with community support.
• Bill 76 26 is a targeted bill for one property.
• Resolution 1626 (Harmony Woods PUD) is still under negotiation; Councilman Jones will address resident concerns.
• Meeting adjourned with congratulations to Councilman Jones for winning the Democratic primary for county executive.