Council advances Tyler Avenue overlay and related zoning changes; neighbors seek slower pace and tax clarity

The Annapolis City Council on June 16 moved forward on a package of zoning measures tied to the city’s comprehensive plan, including first-reader approval of a Tyler Avenue complete-community overlay (O2925) and several related changes that would affect accessory dwelling units, duplex rules and a business revitalization district.

Why it matters: The measures are intended to implement parts of the city’s comprehensive plan and to open limited options for development and housing types in targeted neighborhoods. Residents near Tyler Avenue and Cars Road urged caution, saying changes could increase density, raise property taxes and shrink the large backyards that currently provide affordable single-family housing.

What the council did At the start of the meeting the council voted to add several ordinances to the agenda, including O2925 (Tyler Avenue overlay) and O3025 (business revitalization district regulations). Later in the evening the council adopted O2925 on first reader and referred the overlay and related zoning ordinances to the Planning & Zoning Commission and the Rules and City Government Committee for review.

Public comment and neighborhood concerns Dozens of residents turned out to comment. Leslie Finkel and Sandy Brown, Tyler Avenue residents, said their top concern was vehicle speed on the street and the safety of children playing in yards. They asked that any overlay preserve R-2 zoning and that the neighborhood be included in design decisions.

Several Cars Road residents opposed a separate annexation petition (reported elsewhere on the agenda) and said the overlay proposals were being presented without sufficient notice. Protesters asked for an independent cost and impact study, and some speakers warned that higher assessments and property-tax increases commonly accompany code changes.

Council and staff response Council members acknowledged the volume of legislation added late in the term and discussed scheduling, including potential extra committee meetings and the Planning Commission’s calendar. Alderman Ottoman Savage warned that several of the newly added items will go to the Planning Commission and that the commission may not be able to hear them all before September because the commission does not meet in August and generally requires two meetings for recommendations. Alderman Finlayson offered to add an extra Rules Committee meeting if needed.

Next steps Council members said the zoning measures would proceed through the Planning Commission for detailed review; public hearings tied to the overlay likely will occur after departments and the Planning Commission complete their recommendations. Alderman Savage told residents the Tyler Avenue reconstruction project is separately planned and will include its own safety and streetscape review and public-comment opportunities.

Ending: Council advanced first-reader action to send the overlay and associated zoning changes to the Planning & Zoning Commission and committee review while promising additional public outreach and technical study before any final zoning change.