A pair of City of Annapolis committees on Oct. 3 voted to recommend changes to O‑14‑25 that establish detailed green‑roof standards for the historic Dock Street area and tighten rules for rooftop accessory structures.

Alderman Autumn Savage, sponsor of Amendment 5, told the Rules & City Government Committee the amendment adds definitions and design standards for green roofs — including stormwater retention, thermal performance, structural waterproofing and maintenance — and limits visibility from public rights of way unless explicitly approved by the Historic Preservation Commission. Savage also proposed rooftop accessory‑structure design guidelines to ensure materials and guardrails complement adjacent roof materials and to prohibit habitable rooftop rooms.

Planning staff supported the package. "This does an incredible job describing what a green roof is and what the requirements are," said Chris Jakubiak (planning staff), and Eric Leshinski, chief of comprehensive planning, called the language "technically sound and spot on." Staff said the standards will make their advisory role to the planning commission and HPC clearer.

Committee members raised concerns that a blanket ban on "covered accessory structures" could unintentionally bar umbrellas, pergolas or shade structures used for outdoor dining. After discussion, staff recommended — and the committees agreed — to change the draft wording from "no covered accessory structure shall include space for dining, bar use, or other habitable uses" to "no enclosed accessory structure shall include habitable uses," preserving permissive shade elements while prohibiting hotel rooms or fully habitable rooftop units.

Members also corrected a drafting error on guardrail height in the rooftop dining section, revising the text to require that "guardrails and parapets serving dining areas may not exceed 42 inches above the roof surface." The committees agreed to label the Dock Street rooftop standards as "in addition to" the city's general rooftop rules to avoid conflict with other code sections.

The committees voted to recommend Amendment 5 as amended and to forward O‑14‑25, with the change, to the full council. The recommendation includes required HPC findings or certificate of approval for rooftop dining installations.

The committees' action advances detailed design controls for green roofs and rooftop structures in the downtown historic area while preserving limited accessory outdoor dining options; the full City Council will consider the ordinance at a later meeting.