Showdown Continues Between Walmart, Harford County Lawmakers

UPDATE (3:30 p.m.)—Harford County is not providing the convenience that Walmart hoped it would offer as it plans to open a new supercenter along Bel Air's Route 924 corridor.

Last week, the County Council proposed legislation, which will be the subject of an April 16 public hearing, that would add steps to the planning process for developers of stores larger than 75,000 square feet.

Walmart's proposal calls for a store that is more than 185,000 square feet near Emmorton and Plumtree Road. Its development plans are already under review with Harford County's planning department. They could, however, be overturned if the bill passes and they have not been approved, according to The Dagger.

In response to the council's proposal, Walmart's communications director sent the media a letter calling the policy "misplaced," stating that the proposal "sets up arbitrary hurdles for development and discriminates against business based solely on size," The Aegis reported.

One lawmaker did not dispute the claim that the council was making things difficult for the superstore's developers.

Councilman Dion Guthrie, D-Joppatowne/Abingdon/Edgewood, told The Aegis: "They are going to have to jump through some hoops."

A public hearing on the County Council's proposal will be held at 7 p.m. on April 16 in Bel Air. Read the bill, which is attached to the article.

See more on Walmart's proposed move to Bel Air on Bel Air Patch.