Bel Air commissioners push back on bills that reduce local approval; urge support for Aberdeen Proving Ground

Bel Air commissioners used the Feb. 17 meeting to voice concern about recent state legislation they said would remove local approval authority for certain development programs and to report on a local advocacy meeting for the Aberdeen Proving Ground.

Commissioner Hanley described House Bill 235 and Senate Bill 47, which he said had proposed removing local jurisdiction approval in the neighborhood business development program. "A lot of people push back and said, you're taking authority away from local municipalities," he said, and noted that municipalities currently have a 45-day window to respond. He described legislative proposals as motivated by speeding review but said pushback could lead to a narrowed review window rather than complete removal of local approval authority.

Chair Eddington criticized a national petition urging cuts to "quality of life" policing measures and said the town would not join that movement: "The town is not on board with that movement ... We will not be joining them," she said, adding that Bel Air intends to continue local enforcement practices.

Eddington and other commissioners also recounted attending an Army Alliance listening session focused on the Aberdeen Proving Ground and related local economic development. "They asked for funding for a couple of things. One was for water towers. Their water towers are really in bad shape," Eddington said. She said officials including Senator Alsobrooks and local mayors urged continued funding to support the proving ground, which local leaders described as a major regional employer.

The comments were delivered during the commissioners' remarks portion of the meeting; no formal action was recorded on these topics at this session.