City Council Hearing: Land Use & Transportation Committee; July 2, 2026

The City Council Hearing of the Land Use & Transportation Committee for CharmTV Citizens' Hub on July 2, 2026, focused primarily on several bills related to Baltimore's waterfront management and urban planning. A key procurement-related discussion involved Bill 260178, which proposes transferring harbor master authority from the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) to the Department of Transportation (DOT). This transfer aims to modernize and clarify management of Baltimore Harbor, including fee collection, enforcement powers, and infrastructure oversight. The committee discussed enforcement responsibilities, maintenance agreements, and coordination with multiple agencies, including the Waterfront Partnership and Baltimore Police Department. Amendments to the bill were reviewed and approved for legal sufficiency, with no anticipated additional city costs as the harbor master’s budget is already included in DOT’s funding. The committee deferred voting on this bill pending further clarity on enforcement mechanisms. Other bills discussed included revisions to the Riverside Residential Parking Permit area and amendments to street naming and roof height measurement regulations, both of which received favorable reports and motions to advance. The meeting also touched on future agenda items related to property sales at the request of the controller's office.