Howard County Council Legislative Session – April 6, 2026

The Howard County Council held a hybrid legislative session on April 6, 2026, at 7:00 PM. The meeting included the introduction of 11 new legislative items (appointments, financial transfers, and zoning changes) and final consideration of 10 previously introduced items. Key debates centered on a charter amendment to allow general obligation bonds for affordable housing (CR40) and an accessory dwelling unit enforcement bill (CB21). All votes were unanimous except where noted.

Approval of Journal and Minutes

• The council unanimously approved the journal of the March 2, 2026 legislative session and the minutes of meetings on March 9, March 17, and March 23, 2026.

Introduction of Legislation

The council introduced the following items (all to be considered at a public hearing on April 20, 2026, and a work session on April 27 if needed):

• Appointments: CR42-2026 (Property Tax Assessment Appeal Board list), CR43-2026 (Aileen Maren Jaentsch Marshall to Animal Matters Hearing Board), CR44-2026 (Kimberly Brokaw, DVM to Animal Matters), CR45-2026 (Maryam Fathirad to Public Works Board), CR46-2026 (Dinah R.K.K. Yukich to LGBTQIA+ Commission), CR47-2026 (Dr. Meghana S. Ray to Board of Health), CR48-2026 (Michael Cummins to Inspector General Advisory Board, introduced by Councilmember Yungmann).
• Financial: TAO2-FY2026 (transfer $3,500,000 from school capital projects to Faulkner Ridge Center Early Learning Center), CB22-2026 (authorize $3,500,000 in bonds for Faulkner Ridge Center), CR49-2026 (endorse application to Maryland Transit Administration for grants), CR50-2026 (endorse State financing for Feast & Fettle economic development project), CR51-2026 (approve PILOT agreement with Midway 32 LLC for 623-unit housing at 10010 Junction Drive, Annapolis Junction).
• General: CB23-2026 (ZRA 221 – adaptive reuse of motel/hotel sites along Route 1 corridor), CB24-2026 (ZRA 222 – optional design projects in Route 1 corridor).

Discussion Items and Final Consideration

CB19-2026 – Multiyear Renewable Energy Power Purchase Agreement

• The council debated and adopted Amendment 1 to CB19, which made technical corrections, changed the power provider name to CI Renewables Osprey, added exhibits, and clarified roof warranty and interconnection costs. The amendment passed unanimously. The main motion to approve CB19 as amended passed 4-1, with Councilmember Yungmann voting no.

CR39-2026 – Payment in Lieu of Taxes Agreement – Fall River Terrace Apartments

• Councilmember Young expressed concern that the developer, Enterprise, had misled the community about opportunities for public input at the pre-submission meeting. She clarified that her criticism was directed at the developer, not the village board or staff. The council adopted Amendment 1 to CR39, correcting the unit counts: 56 units at 80% AMI (up from 50) and 20 market-rate units (down from 26). The amendment and the main motion as amended passed unanimously.

CR40-2026 – Charter Amendment – Section 601 (Affordable Housing Bonds)

• This was the most debated item. The amendment would define “affordable housing projects financed in whole or in part by the Housing Opportunities Trust Fund” to allow funding the trust fund through general obligation bonds, and would be submitted to voters in November 2026. Multiple amendments were proposed and voted on:
  • Amendment 1 (introduced by Councilmember Walsh): Restricted the use of bonds to “for sale” housing only. Passed 4-1, with Council Chair Jones voting no.
  • Amendment 2 (administration’s amendment): Added criteria that projects must be wholly owned by the Howard County Housing Commission or an entity controlled by it, or be exclusively for sale. Two sub-amendments were considered:
    • Amendment 1 to Amendment 2 (introduced by Councilmember Young): Further restricted projects to be exclusively for sale and wholly owned by the commission. Passed 3-2, with Chair Jones and Councilmember Rigby voting no.
    • Amendment 2 to Amendment 2: Added a reference to the Maryland Housing and Community Development Article to define “control.” Passed unanimously.
  • Amendment 2 as amended then passed unanimously.
  • The final vote on CR40 as amended passed unanimously (5-0). Councilmembers made statements: Young expressed concerns about the lack of details, borrowing limits, and potential pay-to-play; Rigby lamented the restrictions as diminishing the charter amendment’s impact; Yungmann supported the tool for for-sale housing; Walsh supported the amendment; Jones voted yes to move forward.

CB21-2026 – Enforcement of Owner Occupancy – Accessory Dwelling Units

• Councilmember Yungmann introduced Amendment 1, which aligned the ADU rental license process with the standard two-year term and addressed concerns raised by housing advocates. The amendment passed unanimously. The main motion as amended also passed unanimously. Councilmember Young commended Yungmann for listening to advocates.

Other Final Consideration Items Approved Unanimously:

• CR38-2026 (appointment of Melissa Terlaje to Economic Development Authority Board)
• CB18-2026 (lease of historic county jail to Preservation Maryland, Inc.)
• CR41-2026 (Howard County Board of Education FY2026 operating budget amendment, transferring $3,000,000 from Health Fund to General Fund)
• CB20-2026 (establishment of Interfaith Advisory Commission)
• Tabled appointments: CR211-2025 (Valoria Walker to Commission on Aging), CR5-2026 (John Mobley to Board of Electrical Examiners), CR8-2026 (Juan Valdez to Commission for Veterans and Military Families) – all removed from the table and approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• CR40 (Charter Amendment): Approved with amendments that restrict the use of GO bonds for affordable housing to (1) for-sale projects, and (2) projects wholly owned by the Howard County Housing Commission or an entity controlled by it. The charter amendment will be placed on the November 2026 ballot for voter approval.
• CB19 (Renewable Energy PPA): Approved as amended, with a 25-year term for purchasing renewable energy for county, school system, and community college.
• CR39 (PILOT – Fall River Terrace): Approved as amended, allowing a 76-unit development (56 affordable at 80% AMI, 20 market-rate) at 5551 Harpers Farm Road, Columbia.
• CB21 (ADU Enforcement): Approved as amended, requiring owner-occupancy attestation, two-year rental licenses, and civil penalties.
• Next Steps: Public hearing on introduced legislation on April 20, 2026; work session on April 27 if needed. The council adjourned.