Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Council Votes topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council approves multiple bills, accepts large land gift and advances park, police and school measures
Summary
At its March 19 session the Anne Arundel County Council approved several bills unanimously including school security appropriations (Bill 12‑26), traffic/zoning signage (Bill 98‑25), Region 6 and Region 8 zoning measures (as amended), accepted a 240.77‑acre land gift for conservation (Bill 14‑26), and passed Police Accountability Board training updates (Bill 10‑26); several items were held for April 6, including a battery storage zoning bill.
The Anne Arundel County Council took a series of votes March 19, approving multiple ordinances and one resolution and holding several items for further review.
Key outcomes
- Bill 12‑26 (Board of Education capital budget amendments): Passed 7‑0. The package included $1,229,600 in additional appropriations for school safety and facility repairs, including a secure vestibule at Severna Park Elementary and gym upgrades at Central Middle School.
- Bill 98‑25 (public works traffic zoning signs): Passed 7‑0 as amended.
- Bills 1‑26 and 2‑26 (Region 6 general development plan and comprehensive zoning): After public hearings and amendment votes, both bills passed 7‑0.
- Bill 4‑26 Amendment 3 (Region 8): An amendment to rezone a 15‑acre parcel at 865 Governor Bridge Road to RLD was adopted 4‑3; the council then moved to hold final action on Bill 3‑26 until April 6 so Region 8 items could be considered together.
- Bill 9‑26 (zoning conditional use for battery energy storage systems): The council held the bill until April 6 after the supervising county attorney raised state preemption concerns related to 'front‑of‑the‑meter' projects.
- Bill 10‑26 (Police Accountability Board training): Passed 7‑0; the bill expands training and allows ride‑alongs for board members.
- Bill 11‑26 (Recreation & Parks Article 14 update): Amendment 4 (review of discretionary director decisions) was adopted unanimously; final vote scheduled for April 6.
- Bill 13‑26 (Fire Prevention Code update to 2024 NFPA standards): Amendment 1 adopted; bill to be heard on April 6.
- Bill 14‑26 (acceptance of Eagle Hill property gift, ~240.77 acres): Passed 7‑0 after two technical amendments; the gift will expand Magothy Greenway recreational and conservation land.
- Bill 15‑26 (outdoor lighting): Amendment requiring fixtures to direct light away from lots 'used for residential purposes' was adopted 7‑0; final action scheduled for April 6.
- Resolution 5‑26 (support for state deposit return legislation HB331 / SB342): Passed 4‑2 with one abstention; the resolution asks the General Assembly to back a bottle‑deposit program to increase recycling.
Several votes included recorded roll calls and recorded tallies; all counts and outcomes above are taken from the council roll calls on the record.
