Vote on City Dock Plan Slated for Monday

The Annapolis City Council is expected to vote Monday on a new plan for City Dock in the last meeting of the council before the election.

City officials have said they wanted to complete the new legislation on City Dock before the Nov. 5 election, which could change the makeup of the board by its next meeting.

A development plan for City Dock was first presented to the City Council in December, but sat without any action for several months. In June, it became mired in controversy after the Save Annapolis Coalition, a group of residents and downtown business leaders, rallied against a developer's plan to redevelop the former Fawcett Boating Supply store downtown into a retail shop. The developer pulled his plans, citing opposition from downtown residents like the coalition.

In an 8-hour public hearing at the City Council in July to readdress the plan, coalition members came out in force, testifying well past midnight.

Among the concerns the group had for the plan was new building height allowances, and what taller buildings would do to the dock area's view-shed. Business leaders also testified that the city should conduct a parking study before taking away any parking spots

Since then, the Council has adopted new guidelines. 

The 43-page amended City Dock plan is available for review at the city's website. 

The revised plan imposes fewer mandates, instead serving as a road map for future development efforts in the area. Among them, it requires studies before any major parking, view-shed or key intersection changes are made. This was a sticking point for many in the Coalition.

The Council's Monday meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers.