Annapolis eyes zoning change to increase building heights downtown
The City of Annapolis is eyeing a zoning change that would increase the height limit of some buildings downtown.
On the east side of Dock Street, restaurant Latitude 38 owner Harvey Blonder and architect Peter Fillat have proposed building a boutique hotel with a rooftop terrace to replace the restaurant. This proposal failed in 2018 and Blonder tried again in 2020 with a smaller footprint. The project is not eligible for approval without a change to the city’s height limits.
An ordinance introduced by Mayor Gavin Buckley in June would increase the height limit of properties on Dock Street, meaning accessory structures such as stair towers and elevator shafts could extend 10 feet beyond the existing 38-foot height limit.
The proposed legislation states structures cannot take up more than 25% of the area of the roof and must be positioned in a way that minimizes their visibility. The roof must also be a “green roof,” meaning it is designed for stormwater management and energy efficiency.
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“Don’t allow the possible degradation of the historic district be your legacy,” Annapolis resident Lisa Hillman said during the pubic comment period.
Historic Annapolis is opposed to changing the height limit, citing “spot zoning” — where just one block is singled out — as a poor planning measure that gives “special treatment without serving the public good.” Vice President of Preservation Rachel Robinson said Historic Annapolis is not opposed to building a hotel but wants to maintain the existing height limit.
“The height and bulk regulations have been in place for decades to protect water views and are used to protect the district from out-of-scale and inappropriate development,” Robinson said.
Historic Annapolis is concerned with the language of the ordinance, which uses terms such as “accessory structures” that are not defined in the zoning code. Robinson said this type of language could open the door to excessive height for things beyond HVAC and elevator equipment, for example.
Alderman Harry Huntley, who represents Ward 1 where the proposed zoning change would take place, is also opposed to increasing the height limit.
“It makes city code more complicated at a time we should make it simpler,” Huntley said. “It’s only for a relatively small area when we should be trying to make improvements across the city.”
The City Council will recess for August and resume in September, when this proposed legislation will go to committee meetings that are open for public input.