TOWSON, MD—The Baltimore County Council voted unanimously this week to delay the vote on a bill that would notify councilmembers when there is a request to waive fees for developers.
In light of recent criticism of the legislation, the County Council delayed the vote until July.
Back in January, the Baltimore County Inspector General released a report indicating that millions of dollars in fees were waived for the developer of Metro Centre at Owings Mills. Baltimore County Council Chair Julian Jones introduced Bill 41-22 at the request of County Executive Johnny Olszewski in response to this report.
The new bill would require the county administrative officer to notify the Baltimore County Council whenever there is a request to waive such fees.
The bill has come under fire from local community members.
“Why are we waiving developers’ fees?” asked Heather Patti, president of the White Marsh-Cowenton Community Association, according to The Baltimore Sun. “They have enough money. It just seems like for whatever reason, our county government can’t stop bending over backward to please developers with our money.”
The Baltimore County Council is expected to once again vote on Bill 41-22 in early July.
