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Council approves lease renewal, ADU zoning change and $2025 downtown promotion budget amendment
Summary
On second reading the council adopted Ordinance 11-66 renewing a city lease for restaurant frontage, Ordinance 11-67 amending zoning rules for accessory dwelling units to set a 50% size limit, and Ordinance 11-69 reallocating funds to downtown promotion and a Chamber of Commerce grant; all passed 5-0.
Havre de Grace City Council adopted three ordinances on second reading that affect downtown leasing, zoning for accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and a small budget reallocation for downtown promotion.
Ordinance 11-66, approved 5-0, renews a lease between the city and a private business (referred to in the meeting materials as "Go Have It a Grace LLC") for use of city right-of-way in front of an incoming restaurant on Union Avenue. Council discussion described the arrangement as beneficial for the restaurant and the downtown corridor.
Ordinance 11-67 amends Chapter 205 (zoning) to clarify accessory dwelling unit sizing; Council member Shenagas explained the change will set the ADU size at 50 percent of the primary dwelling’s square footage. The ordinance passed on second reading by roll call, 5-0.
Ordinance 11-69, a budget amendment for fiscal year 2025 (identified in the meeting as 2025-03), reallocates RAD proceeds to promote downtown activities. Council member Robertson said the funds will be used for marketing and promotions through the city’s department and as a grant to the Havre de Grace Chamber of Commerce; Director Johnson explained the funding will not go directly to individual businesses but will fund a Chamber-run marketing campaign. Council adopted the ordinance on a 5-0 roll call.
Next steps: the administration and Director Johnson will implement the marketing plan with the Chamber and carry out lease renewal paperwork; any future changes to zoning or funding distribution would return to council for review.
