Council introduces tax-credit ordinance for 1621 Clark Road after public criticism of tree removal and wetlands clearing

Havre de Grace — The City Council on Aug. 18 introduced Ordinance 12 o 3, which would approve real property tax credits for SRE Maryland Hartford 1621 LLC for a proposed warehouse at 1621 Clark Road; the introduction passed on first reading and a public hearing was set for Sept. 2.

Carol Zimmerman, a Havre de Grace resident, urged the council not to approve tax credits for the site, calling attention to earlier approvals and recent clearing that she said removed wetlands and 24 of 31 specimen trees protected by the city’s Forest Conservation Code. ‘‘We need to protect the environment and abide by our own laws including the Forest Conservation Code,’’ Zimmerman said as she urged council to oppose the tax credit.

Council members discussed the county-administered enterprise-zone program and its intent to spur investment and jobs. Council member Boyer noted the site is in the city’s industrial park, described expected completion as April 2026 and said the developer projects about 20 full-time and 10 part-time jobs if leased. Karen Holt, Harford County’s director of economic development, said the state program’s sliding tax-credit scale (80% reduction for the first five taxable years down to 30% in later years) applies to the assessed increase in value — a point she said often confuses the public — and that assessments would be set by the Maryland SDAT in the next assessment cycle.

Council member Booker expressed concerns about the length and magnitude of the tax break, while other council members noted the city has a limited industrial footprint and that the county program aims to attract investment. The ordinance was introduced on first reading with the roll-call showing a majority in favor; a public hearing was scheduled for the council’s Sept. 2 meeting.