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Havre de Grace council adopts charter amendments and formally opposes state housing bills
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Summary
Council adopted two charter resolutions (one amending candidate eligibility and one adjusting budget timing) and passed a calendar resolution formally opposing Senate Bill 36 and House Bill 239, which council members said risk state overreach into municipal zoning. Charter Resolution 306 drew a 5–1 vote on a change from a 10‑year to a 2‑year local citizenship requirement.
The Havre de Grace City Council voted Jan. 20 to advance and adopt several charter and calendar resolutions addressing local governance and to express the city's formal opposition to pending state legislation.
Charter Resolution 306, concerning candidate eligibility, was adopted after debate. The resolution amends city charter provisions pertaining to who may run for local office, changing a local residency/citizenship requirement (recorded in the meeting as changing from 10 years to 2 years). The change produced dissent from the council president, who said she "doesn't support it" and described the prior provision as originally intended to exclude immigrant groups. The roll call on the resolution was recorded as five in favor and one opposed.
Council also introduced and adopted on first reading Charter Resolution 307, a technical amendment that adds scheduling flexibility to the budget approval process by allowing a second reading to occur at a special or regularly scheduled June meeting when conflicts arise. That measure passed its first reading by roll call 6–0; a public hearing is required before final adoption.
In a separate action the council unanimously adopted Calendar Resolution 2026-02, expressing formal opposition to Senate Bill 36 and House Bill 239 (referred to in the meeting as the "Starter and Silver Homes Act of 2026"). Council members characterized the bills as state overreach that could preempt local zoning controls and increase density in areas currently zoned for single-family homes. Council staff said the resolution will be forwarded to the city delegation and that hearings in the General Assembly were expected in the next two to three weeks.
