Harford County Livability Code Hearing Canceled, Bill Withdrawn

Harford County Councilman withdrew a on Tuesday that would have provided livability guidelines and enforced certain standards on property owners.

Guthrie, the bill's sponsor, announced around 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in council chambers that he was withdrawing the bill. The announcement was made in place of a hearing on the bill.

Two state bills, currently being reviewed in Annapolis, could conflict with the drafted county livability code bill, he said.

One of the bills he cited was House Bill 644, a bill designed to reduce the risk of lead poisoning that, among other things, increases an annual registration fee for affected rental properties from $15 a year to $30 a year.

The second bill Guthrie referenced was Senate Bill 196, a bill drafted in response to a fatal fall, that requires inspections of homes with balconies at least once every five years, according to the state's website. The bill would also authorize a political subdivision to charge a fee for a periodic inspection.

"I believe, therefore, it is my duty as a sponsor to withdraw until there is a consensus," Guthrie said.

Standards and fees imposed by the state bills would exceed those proposed in Guthrie's bill, he said. He added that he believed the state bills were "poorly drafted" and would result in higher costs for landlords.

His announcement was made to a packed room, including a number of people wearing pins expressing opposition to the proposed bill.

David Graham, a Harford County property owner, was among protesters stationed outside council chambers in opposition of the proposed bill Tuesday.

"We just see it as one more case of government intervention in enterprise," Graham said.

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