As we gather for our final Council meeting of this term, I want to take a moment to thank you for your engagement and support over the past eight years. When we next convene, it will be with a new mayor and a largely new Council, should I earn your continued support in the upcoming election. This transition marks an important moment for our community, and I am grateful for the opportunity to serve you.
In this update, I’ll share key legislative actions from our last meeting, important election reminders, and opportunities to get involved—including a special door-knocking event with the Governor later today. Your feedback and participation remain vital as we shape the future of Ward 7 together.
Dock St Height legislation (i.e. downtown hotel proposal)
I wanted to provide you with a few important updates from the last Council meeting. First of all is O-14-25, which originally had proposed to do two things: 1. Increase the height allowed for accessory structures on rooftops along Dock Street (i.e. the proposal to allow rooftop dining on a future hotel), and 2. Increase the allowable density for planned mixed and residential developments (PUDs). At first, we amended O-14-25 to tweak the height portion (my amendment #5), but elected not to amend #2 to incorporate a Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) requirement (my amendment #6). Without amendment #6, the entirety of O-40-25 failed. Wanting to save #2 (the PUD density changes), a motion was made to reconsider the just-failed vote. Such a motion passed. Then #1 (height changes) were removed entirely from O-14-25, and my amendment #6 (TOD) was inserted back in and passed. Hence, at the end of the votes, O-14-25 passed without #1 (height changes) and with #2 (PUD density increases but with TOD requirements). I advocated strongly for the TOD requirements, as I believe they are crucial for Ward 7. If we ever want a solution to the Forest Drive traffic problems, we simply must incorporate a TOD requirement. I’m happy and proud to say that this the strongest TOD requirement in Maryland, and will ensure that developers partner with us to provide community benefits and transit development for all residents.
Short term rental legislation – O-17-25
I am similarly happy to report that O-17-25 passed with my proposed amendments. What this means is that we have, for the first time in our history, adopted a 10% cap on Short Term Rentals (STRS) per blockface, with a clear path towards achieving that 10% cap. Such a path entails a zeroing out of all non-owner occupied STR permits at the end of two years, at which time a lottery will take place that prioritizes those that were in good standing and owned by either Annapolis or County residents.
2025 election updates
General election reminder
Please remember to vote on November 4th!
I'm seeking your support and your vote as I aim to serve another four years. If you're able, please consider donating; it will help me cover the costs of the mailers I sent ou, in an effort to keep us connected in Ward 7. For more information, see details on General Election
Need help door-knocking
If you would be interested in joining me in door-knocking, we will be having groups go out every weekend this month. So please get in touch! It’s a great way to meet your neighbors. Later today the Governor will be joining us in our canvassing efforts. 11:30 at the intersection of Amos Garrett Blvd and West St.
Savidge Yard signs
If you would like a Savidge campaign yard sign in your yard, please let me know and I’ll get one to you soon.
Legislative action summary from last meeting
- CA-1-25 - City Council compensation commission – approved (I voted Aye)
- CA-2-25 – City Council Pay and Benefits Deadline – approved (I voted Aye)
- O-14-25 - Implementation of Annapolis Ahead Comprehensive Plan – As stated above, I initially voted no, then when the City Dock “hotel” height provisions were removed and my transit oriented development amendment added back in, I supported this legislation. – approved as amended (I voted Aye)
- O-15-25 - Accessory Dwelling Unit – This legislation was withdrawn.
- O-17-25 - Limiting Short-term Rentals per Blockface – approved with amendments (I voted Aye)
- O-18-25 - Re-Allowing Historic Duplexes in R2 Zoning Districts – withdrawn
- O-19-25 - Historic tour regulation – Approved with an amendment (I voted Aye)
- O-21-25 - Annapolis Harbor Lines at 423 Chester Avenue on Back Creek – Withdrawn
- O-24-25 - Election Report Deadlines – approved with amendment (I voted Aye)
- O-29-25 - Tyler Avenue Complete Community Overlay District – Approved (I voted Aye)
- O-30-25 - Business revitalization district change – Approved with amendments (I voted Aye)
- O-34-25 - exempt service classifications change – Approved (I voted Aye)
- R-5-25 - Maryland hall waiver – Withdrawn
- R-33-25 - speed camera fines – Approved (I voted Aye)
- R-34-25 - market space fee interest waiver – Postponed
- R-35-25 - 181 Prince George Street Sidewalk Easement – Failed (I voted Nay, largely out of Aldermanic courtesy)
- R-41-25 - Military bowl parade – Approved (I voted Aye)
- R-42-25 – Compensation of Acting City Manager Victoia Buckland – Approved (I voted Aye)
Thank you for your continued support. Stay healthy and stay safe,
Rob
Next Council meeting – 10/27/25 (agenda)
This meeting starts at 7pm and will be televised on local cable, YouTube, Facebook, and the City website. You can submit public testimony at http://www.annapolis.gov/testimony. This will be an in-person meeting.
Public Hearings
There is no legislation up for a public hearing, but you are welcome to comment during the “Comments by the General Public” item towards the beginning of the meeting.
Legislation being introduced on first reader
- R-45-25 - Fines for Failure to Clear Snow and Ice from City Sidewalks
Legislation on second reader (i.e. final vote)
- O-33-25 - Lease of City Property - Market House – We have responded to some public concerns by tightening provisions of this lease. Such improvements include an increase to the security deposit, an increase in the monthly rent (from 8.4k to 11k/mo), change in the performance rent from 2% of amounts over $1.4m to 1% of amounts over 2m, increased renewal basic rent from 5% every renewal period to 10%, 5% increase on the performance rent every renewal period, after the initial renewal period future renewals must be mutual, and it requires at least $100k in investments in the building by the end of the first renewal period. In light of these improvements, I’m inclined to support this Ordinance, pending input from you.
- O-35-25 - Ranked-Choice Voting in Annapolis City Elections – This legislation will be tabled given that we ran out of time to gather input from the Board of Supervisors of Elections. I fully intend to reintroduce a version of this next year.
- O-37-25 - City Capital Facilities Charges Payment Plan – I am inclined to support this, pending input from you.
- O-38-25 - Exception to the City's Prohibition on Doors or Gates Opening Over Sidewalks – I am inclined to support this, given that it simply gives the Director the ability to waive this requirement when needed.
- R-34-25 - Market Space Interest Charge Waiver - We allowed outdoor dining in Market Plaza downtown during COVID, and continued thereafter. In order to do so we needed to repurpose the parking spaces and we required that the adjacent businesses pay a fee to repurpose these parking spaces. While they have paid the fees, we have heard concerns that they were too high so we are at the least proposing to waive the interest on these fees. When you look at the numbers, the businesses have paid more to the City via outdoor dining fees than they would have via parking fees. I’m inclined to support this effort, pending input from you. I believe that this space should be more open to the public via outdoor dining, as opposed to just parking for cars, and am happy to subsidize any effort to do so. Also, we have plenty of spaces for parking in the downtown garage so we don’t need to have parking in this Market Space area.
- R-40-25 - Equitable Public Water Access Plan – I have an amendment to have this plan better speak to the role of CRAB and the importance of such to the City. I’m inclined to support, if amended, pending input from you.
- R-44-25 - A Resolution Calling for Reinvestment in Pedestrian Safety, Transit Access, Affordability, and Climate Action over Highway Expansion – This s a Resolution I’ve been working on regarding SHA’s planned expansion of Route 97 to 6 lanes. While I do not doubt that such an expansion is needed in the short term, I have concerns about this proposal. I would like for MDOT to look at more options besides just auto lane expansion. Both the City and State have agreed to climate goals, Bay restoration goals, and affordable housing goals, yet this proposed expansion works directly against those commitments we have made. We need alternatives to automobile traffic. Expanding 97 compounds the problems as it will increase usage and reliance on autos, given that expanding roads induce demand. More asphalt will have a negative impact on the Bay. The transportation sector represents 30% of our carbon emissions, and our City Dock is flooding because of climate change. So let’s not perpetuate that. Lastly, in order to create affordable housing we need to reduce the cost of living by giving people a cheaper way to get around, such as expanding transit options. Just recently, we had a protest of parents on West street (as state road) asking for more crosswalks and safety measures. I would much prefer that MDOT money go towards these initiatives, and go to supporting the transit plans MDOT and Annapolis (And the County) are already working on. At the very least I think SHA should be looking into incorporating a dedicated bus rapid transit lane and/or planning for eventual installation of a fixed rail system that we could one day connect to. This project is estimated to cost upwards of $135 million, with most of it ($90m) coming from the federal government. I am strongly inclined to support this, pending input from you.
Community & Political updates
Rec Center Harvest Festival
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