Howard County OKs freeze on development

The Howard County Council on Friday unanimously approved a one-year freeze on development in the Tiber River and Plumtree Branch stream watersheds surrounding Ellicott City, where the low-elevation historic district was hit by intense flooding in May for the second time in less than two years. The emergency legislation blocks the county from issuing permits for projects on properties where runoff from storms drains into creeks and rivers that flow into Ellicott City. Critics of rapid growth have argued that development has created more stormwater runoff, worsening flooding. More than 30 projects are in the works in the watersheds and can proceed, but about 600 housing units in various stages of permit approvals would be put on hold, according to county estimates. The moratorium was proposed by Jon Weinstein, the Democratic councilman whose district includes Ellicott City, to allow time for additional studies of land use, stormwater management and drainage. management office of the apartment complex and was agitated before allegedly threatening to kill someone in the office, said Lt. Will Reiber, a spokesperson for the Aberdeen Police Department. Winkler left the office. Police responded to the scene and found him, Reiber said. The first officers to arrive waited for another officer who had a Taser to arrive. Winkler was Tasered, but unaffected, Reiber said. The man, who police believed had a knife, then came after the officers and an officer shot him, Reiber said. At a media briefing, Reiber said Winkler was in surgery at Shock Trauma, where he had been transported by Maryland State Police Medevac helicopter. The officer who shot Winkler, who has not been identified, has been placed on administrative leave. According to the Police Department news release, Winkler “allegedly made threats to kill an employee that works for the apartment complex prior to coming into contact with a resident nearby where he began to use racially insensitive language. Several calls for help were received, with numerous people reporting that the male was armed with a knife or edged weapon. Upon the first officer’s arrival they reported that the suspect appeared to be armed with a knife. Backup officers quickly arrived on the scene where they confronted the suspect. The officers gave numerous verbal commands for the suspect to drop his weapon; however, he failed to comply. Officers then attempted to use less lethal force and deployed a Taser; however, the Taser failed to be effective. The suspect then lunged at one of the officers with his hand elevated above his shoulder, still holding the sharp edged weapon. Being in fear for his life one officer fired his weapon at the suspect, striking him several times.” Mayor Catherine Pugh met with former NBAstar Earvin “Magic” Johnson on Thursday to discuss opportunities for him to invest in Baltimore, fulfilling a long-held goal as she seeks to attract private capital to the city. “He wants to see the city,” Pugh said, “He’s excited about the leadership.” The mayor said she rattled through her list of top prospects and hopes with Johnson — a movie theater at Mondawmin Mall, new tax breaks for investing in struggling neighborhoods, a citybacked investment fund, projects in Park Heights and the planned overhaul of Perkins Homes. Pugh said Johnson planned to return to Baltimore in September to take a closer look. “It’s hard to turn Mayor Pugh down — she’s doing a won-