On the agenda: Baltimore Baltimore City Council — Data Center (Jul 13)

City of Baltimore
City Council
City Hall, Room 408
100 North Holliday Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21202

Meeting Agenda - Final
Monday, July 13, 2026
5:00 PM
Virtual Meeting Link: https://bmore.webex.com/bmore/j.php?
MTID=m52dc6ce0242755826927cb3166f882de
Password: Public
Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall

Baltimore City Council
Zeke Cohen, Council President - District 1: Mark Parker - District 2: Danielle
McCray - District 3: Ryan Dorsey - District 4: Mark Conway - District 5: Isaac "Yitzy"
Schleifer - District 6: Vice President Sharon Green Middleton - District 7: James
Torrence - District 8: Paris Gray - District 9: John Bullock - District 10: Phylicia
Porter - District 11: Zac Blanchard - District 12: Jermaine Jones - District 13: Antonio
Glover - District 14: Odette Ramos

Baltimore City Council

Meeting Agenda - Final

July 13, 2026

Call to Order
Invocation
Rev. Dr. Alvin Gwynn, Sharp Leadenhall Baptist Church

Pledge of Allegiance
Roll Call
Approval of the Journal
June 22, 2026
June 24, 2026 (Special Meeting)

Bills Signed by the Mayor
June 25, 2026

26-0188

Ordinance of Estimates for the Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2027
FOR the purpose of providing the appropriations estimated to be needed
by each agency of the City of Baltimore for operating programs and capital
projects during the Fiscal 2027 year.

Sponsors:

City Council President (Administration), Isaac "Yitzy" Schleifer

26-0189

Annual Property Tax – Fiscal Year 2027
FOR the purpose of providing a tax for the use of the Mayor and City
Council of Baltimore for the period of July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027;
and setting the semiannual payment service charge for that period.

Sponsors:

City Council President (Administration)

26-0190

Charter Amendment – Procurement Reform
FOR the purpose of repealing the requirement for the Board of Estimates
to make a bid award to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder;
setting a special effective date; and submitting this amendment to the
qualified voters of the City for adoption or rejection.

Sponsors:

City of Baltimore

Zeke Cohen, Mark Parker, Ryan Dorsey, Paris Gray, John Bullock, Phylicia Porter, Zac
Blanchard, Jermaine Jones, Odette Ramos

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Baltimore City Council

26-0191

Meeting Agenda - Final

July 13, 2026

Charter Amendment – Budget, Veto, and Board of Estimates Reform
FOR the purpose of amending certain processes, requirements, and
permissions relating to the adoption and rejection of ordinances and
resolutions; amending certain processes, requirements, and permissions
relating to the adoption and rejection of the City’s budget and certain tax
rates; removing certain improper, non-essential, obsolete, and redundant
provisions; setting a special effective date; and submitting this amendment
to the qualified voters of the City for adoption or rejection.

Sponsors:

Zeke Cohen, Mark Parker, Ryan Dorsey, Isaac "Yitzy" Schleifer, Paris Gray, John
Bullock, Phylicia Porter, Zac Blanchard, Jermaine Jones, Odette Ramos

26-0192

Charter Amendment – Minor Privileges
FOR the purpose of providing for the grant of certain minor privilege rights
under a process established by ordinance; removing certain improper,
non-essential, obsolete, and redundant provisions; setting a special
effective date; and submitting this amendment to the qualified voters of the
City for adoption or rejection.

Sponsors:

Zeke Cohen, Ryan Dorsey, John Bullock, Phylicia Porter, Zac Blanchard, Jermaine
Jones, Odette Ramos

26-0200

Operating Budget for the Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners
for the Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2027
FOR the purpose of approving the budget estimated to be needed for the
Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners for operating programs
during Fiscal 2027; providing for certification of the approved budget to the
State Superintendent of Schools; and providing for a special effective date.

Sponsors:

Council President (Board of School Commissioners)

26-0202

Charter Amendment – Department of Water and Wastewater
FOR the purpose of establishing a Department of Water and Wastewater
among the Executive Departments; providing for the powers and duties of
the Department of Water and Wastewater; transferring certain powers and
duties from the Department of Public Works to the Department of Water
and Wastewater; repealing certain obsolete provisions; conforming,
correcting, and clarifying related provisions; and submitting this
amendment to the qualified voters of the City for adoption or rejection.

Sponsors:

City Council President (Administration), Ryan Dorsey, Sharon Green Middleton, Paris
Gray, John Bullock, Phylicia Porter, Zac Blanchard, Jermaine Jones, Odette Ramos

Bills Introduced

City of Baltimore

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Baltimore City Council

26-0212

Meeting Agenda - Final

July 13, 2026

Fair Election Fund – Update
FOR the purpose of updating certain provisions regarding the Fair Election
Fund; amending the list of elections eligible for the Fund; clarifying
procedures for candidate withdrawal from an election; amending
post-election procedures; and generally relating to the Fair Election Fund.

Sponsors:

Zac Blanchard, Ryan Dorsey, Sharon Green Middleton, Paris Gray, John Bullock, Odette
Ramos
COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATIVE INVESTIGATIONS

26-0213

Parking Tax – Special Fund for Fair Elections Surcharge
FOR the purpose of imposing a surcharge on the City’s parking tax;
directing the proceeds of the surcharge to the special fund for fair
elections; and repealing an obsolete moratorium.

Sponsors:

Zac Blanchard, Ryan Dorsey, Paris Gray, Odette Ramos
BUDGET AND APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE

26-0214

Study and Report – Licensing and Registration Status of Non Owner
Occupied Rental Dwelling Units
FOR the purpose of requiring the Department of Housing and Community
Development, the Department of Planning, and the Department of Finance
to submit a report to the Mayor and City Council that details the licensing
and registration status of all non-owner-occupied dwelling units in the City,
the number of non-owner-occupied dwelling units in the City and each
Council District, the number of non-owner-occupied dwelling units that
meet certain requirements of the Code, the number of non owner occupied
dwelling units that have been cited for failure to comply with certain
requirements of the Code, and the number of non owner-occupied dwelling
units that are owned by City residents.

Sponsors:

Antonio "Tony" Glover, John Bullock, Zac Blanchard, Odette Ramos
HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

26-0215

Rental Dwellings – Pricing Algorithm Use – Disclosure
FOR the purpose of requiring a landlord to disclose certain information
regarding rental fees to current and prospective tenants; defining certain
terms, establishing certain penalties; and granting the Department of
Housing and Community Development authority to promulgate certain rules
and regulations.

Sponsors:

Paris Gray, Ryan Dorsey, Sharon Green Middleton, John Bullock, Zac Blanchard, Odette
Ramos
HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

City of Baltimore

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Baltimore City Council

26-0216

Meeting Agenda - Final

July 13, 2026

Vehicle Towing from Private Lots and Parking Facilities – Revisions
FOR the purpose of establishing certain maximum charges for towing
services; specifying certain required information to be included on towing
service receipts and daily logs maintained by each towing service;
specifying certain limitations on incomplete tows; requiring that a towing
service accept credit cards; prohibiting certain instances of patrol towing;
making certain stylistic changes; conforming, clarifying, and correcting
related provisions; and generally related to the regulation of vehicle towing
from private lots and facilities in Baltimore City.

Sponsors:

Ryan Dorsey, Mark Parker, Paris Gray, John Bullock, Zac Blanchard, Odette Ramos
LAND USE AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE

26-0217

Data Centers Over 5 Megawatts – Moratorium
FOR the purpose of establishing a data center capable of using 5
megawatts or more of electricity as a prohibited use Citywide; and defining
certain terms.

Sponsors:

Mark Parker, Ryan Dorsey, Odette Ramos
LAND USE AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE

26-0218

Transit-Oriented Development – Downtown Baltimore
FOR the purpose of supporting a State Transit-Oriented Development
designation for the area surrounding and including the Lexington Market,
Charles Center, and Shot Tower Metro Stations; the Mount Vernon,
Lexington Market, Baltimore Arena, Convention Center, and Camden
Station Light Rail Stations; and the Camden Yards MARC Station.;and
providing for a special effective date.

Sponsors:

City Council President (Administration), Paris Gray, Zac Blanchard
LAND USE AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE

26-0219

Transit-Oriented Development – Rogers Avenue
FOR the purpose of supporting a State Transit-Oriented Development
designation for the area surrounding and including the Rogers Avenue
Metro Station; and providing for a special effective date.

Sponsors:

City Council President (Administration), Paris Gray
LAND USE AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE

Resolutions Introduced

City of Baltimore

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Baltimore City Council

26-0059R

Meeting Agenda - Final

July 13, 2026

Informational Hearing – Affordable Housing Trust Fund
FOR the purpose of requiring the Baltimore City Department of Housing
and Community Development, the Affordable Housing Trust Fund
Commission, and inviting relevant stakeholders to appear before the City
Council and to provide annual reports on the accomplishments of the
Affordable Housing Trust Fund, including units produced and residents
helped, the income level of residents served, the required items to be
reported upon that are specified in both the Charter amendment that
established the Fund and in the ordinance that created the funding source,
and any additional information the Council may request.

Sponsors:

Odette Ramos, Mark Parker, Paris Gray, John Bullock, Zac Blanchard
HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

26-0060R

Informational Hearing – Cannabis Licenses
FOR the purpose of requiring representatives from the Baltimore City
Health Department, the Department of Planning, and the Office of the
Zoning Administrator, and inviting representatives from the Maryland
Cannabis Administration, the Maryland Office of Social Equity, and any
interested stakeholders, to appear before the City Council to discuss: (1)
the approval process for cannabis businesses located in the City; (2) the
City’s role in compliance with the requirements for cannabis businesses
under State law; and (3) the experience of cannabis businesses operating
or seeking to operate in the City, including those that have been granted a
social equity license by the Maryland Cannabis Administration.

Sponsors:

Mark Parker, Paris Gray, John Bullock, Zac Blanchard, Odette Ramos
LAND USE AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE

26-0061R

Informational Hearing – Impact of Brownouts
FOR the purpose of requiring the Health Department, the Department of
Public Works, and the Office of Emergency Management, and inviting
representatives from the Maryland Public Service Commission, the
Baltimore Gas and Electric Company, and any interested energy experts
and stakeholders, to appear before the City Council to discuss the public
health, safety, and economic impact of electrical brownouts in the City,
including an assessment of the City’s brownout response preparedness to
protect communities burdened by environmental and infrastructural
inequities

Sponsors:

Phylicia Porter, Paris Gray, John Bullock, Zac Blanchard, Odette Ramos
COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATIVE INVESTIGATIONS

City of Baltimore

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Baltimore City Council

26-0062R

Meeting Agenda - Final

July 13, 2026

Informational Hearing – Land Value Tax
FOR the purpose of requiring the Department of Housing and Community
Development, the Department of Finance, the Mayor’s Office of Small and
Minority Business Advocacy and Development, and the Department of
Planning, and inviting Live Baltimore, the Baltimore Development
Corporation, the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation, and
other relevant stakeholders to a hearing to evaluate the benefits of
implementing a split-rate property tax system in Baltimore City, including its
effect on absentee property ownership and speculation, vacant residential
and commercial properties, owner-occupant homeowner property taxes,
and housing production.

Sponsors:

Zac Blanchard, Paris Gray, John Bullock
BUDGET AND APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE

26-0063R

Informational Hearing – Law Enforcement Memoranda of Understanding
FOR the purpose of requiring the Baltimore Police Department to appear
before the City Council to provide: (1) a summary and documentation of all
currently active memoranda of understanding governing mutual aid,
concurrent jurisdiction, related law enforcement coordination, as well as
any amendments, renewals, or superseding agreements; (2) a summary
and documentation of any supporting materials the Department relies on in
managing those agreements, including implementation schedules and
related process updates; and (3) a status update on the Department’s
process for reviewing, revising, publishing, and implementing those
agreements.

Sponsors:

James Torrence, Paris Gray, John Bullock, Zac Blanchard, Odette Ramos
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE

Consent Calendar
(See Section A at back of Agenda)
2R Second Reader

Land Use & Transportation

City of Baltimore

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Baltimore City Council

26-0150

Meeting Agenda - Final

July 13, 2026

Zoning – Conditional Use – Retail Goods Establishment (With Alcoholic
Beverage Sales) – Variances – 600 West North Avenue
FOR the purpose of permitting, subject to certain conditions, the
establishment, maintenance, and operation of a retail goods establishment
(with alcoholic beverage sales) on the property known as 600 West North
Avenue (Block 3435, Lot 001), as outlined in red on the accompanying
plat; granting variances from certain bulk and yard regulations and
off-street parking maximums; and, providing for a special effective date.

Sponsors:

James Torrence
RECOMMEND FAVORABLE WITH AMENDMENTS

26-0153

Measurement of Building Height – Gambrel Roofs
FOR the purpose of amending the calculation of building height
measurement for buildings with gambrel roofs.

Sponsors:

Mark Parker
RECOMMEND FAVORABLE WITH AMENDMENTS

26-0165

Sale of Property – 220 Guilford Avenue
FOR the purpose of authorizing the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore to
sell, at either public or private sale, all its interest in certain property that is
located at 220 Guilford Avenue (Block 0612, Lot 010) and is no longer
needed for public use; and providing for a special effective date.

Sponsors:

City Council President (Office of the Comptroller), Mark Parker, Zac Blanchard
RECOMMEND FAVORABLE

26-0175

Street Names – Authority to Change Suffix
FOR the purpose of granting to the City Council the authority to change the
suffix of a street name.

Sponsors:

Zac Blanchard, Mark Parker, Ryan Dorsey, Sharon Green Middleton, Jermaine Jones,
Odette Ramos
RECOMMEND FAVORABLE

City of Baltimore

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Baltimore City Council

26-0176

Meeting Agenda - Final

July 13, 2026

Zoning – Conditional Use Conversion of a Single-Family Dwelling Unit to
2 Dwelling Units in the R-8 Zoning District – Variance – 812 N Carey
Street
FOR the purpose of permitting, subject to certain conditions, the
conversion of a single-family dwelling unit to 2 dwelling units in the R-8
Zoning District on the property known as 812 N Carey Street (Block 0089,
Lot 057), as outlined in red on the accompanying plat; granting a variance
regarding certain bulk regulations (lot size area); and providing for a
special effective date.

Sponsors:

John Bullock
RECOMMEND FAVORABLE

26-0177

Rezoning – 901 S Caton Avenue
FOR the purpose of changing the zoning for the property known as 901 S
Caton Avenue (Block 2108C, Lot 001), as outlined in red on the
accompanying plat, from the OR-2 Zoning District to the C-2 Zoning
District; and providing for a special effective date.

Sponsors:

John Bullock
RECOMMEND FAVORABLE

26-0178

Baltimore Harbor – Transfer of Authority to Department of Transportation
FOR the purpose of repealing obsolete provisions of Subtitle 5 {“Harbor”}
of the Public Local Laws of Baltimore City and Article 10 {“Harbors, Docks,
and Wharves”} of the Baltimore City Code regarding Baltimore Harbor;
transferring the authority to regulate Baltimore Harbor from the Department
of Housing and Community Development to the Department of
Transportation; establishing the Office of the Harbormaster and all
attendant authorities and duties under the Department of Transportation;
and otherwise relating to the use and management of Baltimore Harbor

Sponsors:

City Council President (Administration)
RECOMMEND FAVORABLE WITH AMENDMENTS

26-0197

RPP Area 48 (Riverside) – Revisions
FOR the purpose of increasing the allotment of parking permits for
churches and increasing the hours for those permits in the Parking
Management Plan Restatement for RPP Area 48.

Sponsors:

Zac Blanchard
RECOMMEND FAVORABLE

3R Third Reader (Requires 12 votes for same-day advancement - Rule 12-1)

City of Baltimore

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Baltimore City Council

26-0150

Meeting Agenda - Final

July 13, 2026

Zoning – Conditional Use – Retail Goods Establishment (With Alcoholic
Beverage Sales) – Variances – 600 West North Avenue
FOR the purpose of permitting, subject to certain conditions, the
establishment, maintenance, and operation of a retail goods establishment
(with alcoholic beverage sales) on the property known as 600 West North
Avenue (Block 3435, Lot 001), as outlined in red on the accompanying
plat; granting variances from certain bulk and yard regulations and
off-street parking maximums; and, providing for a special effective date.

Sponsors:

James Torrence

26-0165

Sale of Property – 220 Guilford Avenue
FOR the purpose of authorizing the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore to
sell, at either public or private sale, all its interest in certain property that is
located at 220 Guilford Avenue (Block 0612, Lot 010) and is no longer
needed for public use; and providing for a special effective date.

Sponsors:

City Council President (Office of the Comptroller), Mark Parker, Zac Blanchard

26-0176

Zoning – Conditional Use Conversion of a Single-Family Dwelling Unit to
2 Dwelling Units in the R-8 Zoning District – Variance – 812 N Carey
Street
FOR the purpose of permitting, subject to certain conditions, the
conversion of a single-family dwelling unit to 2 dwelling units in the R-8
Zoning District on the property known as 812 N Carey Street (Block 0089,
Lot 057), as outlined in red on the accompanying plat; granting a variance
regarding certain bulk regulations (lot size area); and providing for a
special effective date.

Sponsors:

John Bullock

26-0177

Rezoning – 901 S Caton Avenue
FOR the purpose of changing the zoning for the property known as 901 S
Caton Avenue (Block 2108C, Lot 001), as outlined in red on the
accompanying plat, from the OR-2 Zoning District to the C-2 Zoning
District; and providing for a special effective date.

Sponsors:

John Bullock

26-0197

RPP Area 48 (Riverside) – Revisions
FOR the purpose of increasing the allotment of parking permits for
churches and increasing the hours for those permits in the Parking
Management Plan Restatement for RPP Area 48.

Sponsors:

City of Baltimore

Zac Blanchard

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Baltimore City Council

Meeting Agenda - Final

July 13, 2026

Committee Announcements
Announcements
THE NEXT MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
WILL BE HELD ON MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2026, AT 5:00 P.M.
Adjournment
Thank you all for attending this meeting.
Please check the area around your seat to make
certain that you have everything that you brought with you.
We will be closing the room shortly and ask that
everyone exit promptly to the 1st floor main entrance.
Thank you for visiting City Hall.

City of Baltimore

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