Towson, Md. — Kimberley Stansbury, candidate for Baltimore County Executive, is directly calling out Wes Moore and leading lawmakers in the Maryland General Assembly over what she calls a “top-down takeover” of local zoning authority.
The controversial legislation—HB 239 / SB 36 and HB 894 / SB 389—has been introduced at the request of the Moore administration and backed by Senate leadership and key sponsors, including Malcolm Augustine, Katie Fry Hester, Shelly Hettleman, and Craig Zucker.
Stansbury did not hold back.
“This is not planning. This is a power grab—plain and simple,” she said. “Governor Moore and his allies in Annapolis are trying to override Baltimore County residents and dictate what gets built in our neighborhoods.”
The bills would strip counties of key zoning authority—overriding local rules on lot sizes, setbacks, and development standards—while accelerating high-density housing near transit and state-owned land.
Stansbury warned the impact could be immediate and dramatic.
“We’re talking about the potential for thousands of new housing units pushed into targeted communities, without the approval of the people who actually live there,” she said.
She drew a direct line between state leadership and local consequences.
“These senators may represent districts on paper—but they are voting to reshape communities they don’t live in,” Stansbury said. “Baltimore County families will deal with the traffic, overcrowding, and strain on schools—not the politicians in Annapolis.”
Stansbury framed the issue as a defining choice for voters.
“This is the clearest contrast you’ll see in this race,” she said. “I trust residents. Annapolis politicians trust government control.”
She also warned of broader implications.
“If they can take zoning away from local communities today, nothing is off the table tomorrow,” she said. “This is how local voices disappear—one bill at a time.”
Stansbury is calling on residents to immediately contact their legislators and oppose the bills.
“Don’t let Annapolis decide what happens next door to you,” she said. “If you stay silent, they will take that as approval.”
Contact:
Kimberley Stansbury
410-627-5476
electkimstansbury2022@gmail.com