Baltimore Housing and Planning Departments Begin Leadership Transitions Amid Housing Policy and Zoning Reforms

Two major city agencies enter transition period

Baltimore City is preparing for leadership changes in two departments central to housing production, neighborhood revitalization and land-use oversight: the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) and the Department of Planning.

The transitions come as the Scott administration advances housing and zoning proposals intended to increase supply, lower development costs and streamline how land-use rules are administered across city government.

Housing Commissioner Alice Kennedy set to depart DHCD

DHCD Commissioner Alice E. Kennedy is scheduled to leave her role in mid-November 2025. The city has said Kennedy will remain in public service in a different position, with details to be announced.

Kennedy joined DHCD in 2016 and served as deputy commissioner before becoming acting commissioner in 2020 and then the permanent commissioner in 2021. During her tenure, she oversaw programs tied to housing preservation and services, including weatherization, lead hazard reduction, rehabilitation and homeownership operations. City leadership has also credited her with helping implement Baltimore’s vacant housing strategy and work associated with Reframe Baltimore.

The leadership change at DHCD occurs in the context of ongoing planning for a citywide comprehensive housing framework. Work on Baltimore’s first comprehensive housing plan was announced in 2024, with the final version previously described as targeted for early 2025.

Planning Director appointment follows retirement announcement

In the Planning Department, the city moved to fill the top post after Planning Director Chris Ryer announced his retirement in April 2025. Ryer had led the department for six years and was expected to remain in place until a successor was appointed.

On September 11, 2025, Mayor Brandon M. Scott announced the appointment of Timothy Keane as Baltimore City Planning Director, with the appointment subject to City Council confirmation. The city described Keane’s prior leadership of planning departments in Charleston, Atlanta, Boise and Calgary, and said his responsibilities in Baltimore would include planning and design, land use and zoning, development, capital budgeting, and oversight of sustainability, food policy and historic preservation functions within the department.

Policy backdrop: proposed changes to zoning administration and building requirements

The transitions intersect with a package of proposed housing and zoning changes introduced in May 2025. The legislative package includes bills addressing building code requirements for staircases in certain residential buildings, adjustments to bulk and yard standards, and removal of parking minimums for new development.

Another proposal would move the Zoning Administrator function from DHCD to the Planning Department, consolidating code-writing and administration within the same agency.

• DHCD transition: commissioner departure planned for mid-November 2025, with a future city role to be announced.
• Planning transition: retirement announced in April 2025; a new planning director appointment announced September 11, 2025, pending council confirmation.
• Policy context: May 2025 legislative package aimed at increasing housing options and streamlining land-use administration.

City leaders have framed the leadership changes as continuity measures alongside major housing and land-use initiatives already underway.

City officials have not publicly detailed a successor timeline for DHCD leadership beyond Kennedy’s planned mid-November departure, and the Planning Director appointment remains subject to the confirmation process.