The president of the Baltimore County Organized Licensed Towers testified at Tuesday night?s County Council meeting that new towing legislation could significantly harm his business.
“We believe this could have the impact of threatening the livelihood of everyone who participates in the Baltimore County accident towing process,” said Dennis McElgunn, the group?s president.
McElgunn objects to a bill, introduced by Councilman Kenneth Oliver, D-District 4, that Oliver said will break up a monopoly of 33 white-owned towing companies operating in Baltimore County.
Oliver?s legislation would remove a requirement that the county prove there is a need for additional towing services before issuing new towing licenses. That requirement has prevented several towing companies, including at least one that is minority-owned, from doing business in Baltimore County, officials said. The bill also disallows newly approved towing companies from charging storage fees for vehicles while their lots are closed on weekends.
Despite the county?s stated concerns about minority involvement in towing, “We have not seen anything in the draft legislation that specifically mentions a minority enterprise goal or any kind of affirmative action plan to increase minority participation,” McElgunn testified.
Oliver said the problem with the old “need” requirement was first brought to his attention by Woodlawn-based Jordan?s Towing in 1999, which failed to get approval to tow because of the old provision.
In other business, the council passed the Middle River Area Comprehensive Zoning Plan after amending the plan?s guidelines to preserve about 300 acres of land designated for rural conservation.
The plan, which would accommodate growth in the area from the federal military base realignment, covers a five-square-mile parcel in a community that already has 1,000 new homes planned, and includes zoning changes to permit more than 500 additional homes than regulations allow.
The plan makes residential development in the area contingent on the completion of five capital projects, including two pumping stations and a bridge on Ebenezer Road over Windlass Run.
“We?re hopeful the safeguards will prevent an overpopulation of the area,” said Sandy Magsamen, of Middle River, who attended the meeting.
