Perryman Building Moratorium Vetoed By County Executive

HARFORD COUNTY, MD — A bill that would have placed a building moratorium on the Perryman peninsula has been vetoed by County Executive Barry Glassman.

"Harford County Council Bill 22-003, as amended, threatens the rights of all Harford County property owners," Glassman said in a statement.

The legislation, which passed at the County Council's April 19 meeting, would put a moratorium on building permits and site plan approvals for the Perryman Peninsula and create a committee to evaluate the impact of new construction on waterways as well as vehicular and well safety. It had

“One of my primary duties as County Executive is to uphold the laws of Harford County," Glassman said, noting the Perryman Peninsula Moratorium would violate the Harford County Code and Harford County Charter.

"My responsibility is to enforce the provisions of County laws as well as follow the predictable process adopted in the County’s development review regulations for all applicants regardless of their location or status," Glassman said.

In vetoing the legislation, Glasman cited each violation of the charter, including what he said was a legal error by the president of the County Council that made the bill null and void.

Glassman said the bill contained 16 amendments, including two that referenced a map delineating the Perryman Peninsula. The bill he received from Council President Patrick Vincenti did not contain a map, which Glassman reported was a violation of the charter, nullifying the bill.

Glassman's veto stands unless the County Council overrides it at its next legislative meeting on Tuesday, May 3.

This is a developing story and will be updated.