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Village leaders warn state zoning bill could preempt local rules and undercut local affordability
Summary
Council members and residents in Martin's Additions heard a detailed update on the Starter and Silver Homes Act, which would reduce lot sizes and setbacks and, as initially drafted, could limit local zoning tools without requiring new units be affordable. Municipal leaders plan follow-up letters and outreach to legislators.
Ron, who briefed the council on the Starter and Silver Homes Act, told Martin's Additions leaders the governor and the Department of Housing and Community Development are promoting a package intended to remove barriers to construction by standardizing lot sizes and setbacks across the state. "Anywhere single-family homes are allowed, local governments have to allow subdivision of lots into lots that are 5,000 square feet," Ron said, noting that in many local zones that would reduce current minimum lot sizes by 1,000 square feet.
The reform would also sharply reduce setbacks, Ron said: "The law would say you can't impose a setback that's larger than 10 feet" in front yards and would cut side and rear setbacks, in some drafts, to 5 and 10 feet respectively. He warned that an original draft would have eliminated lot-coverage limits entirely; after municipal pushback, proposed amendments would allow lot-coverage rules but cap coverage at 75% of the remaining buildable envelope once setbacks are reduced.
Council members and residents pressed Ron about affordable housing requirements. "Did anybody say anywhere in these hearings that there's nothing in this proposed bill ... that requires any of the new construction to be affordable?" a resident asked. Ron acknowledged that the bill, as described at the meeting, does not include an affordability mandate and said that concern is central to municipal opposition.
The council heard that municipalities and county governments filed substantial testimony opposing the measure. Ron said the Maryland Municipal League and county executives had pressed for exemptions for small jurisdictions and for protections for historic properties; the friendly amendments described to the council would exempt designated historic properties that meet a 50‑year threshold and clarify a townhome definition to avoid stacked or duplex-style buildings.
Council members discussed next steps. Ron urged residents to contact their representatives and said municipalities are considering a refreshed, tailored letter to reflect the bill's amended posture. "Sending in comments works in my opinion," he said. Several members urged coordinated outreach to committee members and suggested municipal representatives could press their colleagues on the house and senate committees.
The council did not take a formal vote on a position at the meeting but agreed to coordinate with neighboring municipalities and to consider follow-up testimony and targeted letters if the bill moves out of committee. The municipal delegation said timing is tight before crossover deadlines and that additional study or refinement may be necessary before the legislature concludes the session.
