Politics & Government

Officials Fight to Block Bail Bond Shop

Councilwoman Mary Pat Clarke and surrounding neighborhoods are opposed to the operation of a bail bond business in the Greenmount Avenue corridor.

Katia Hamilton, 34, is chasing her American Dream.

She wants to run her business and provide for her family.

But some residents and public officials call Hamilton’s First Response Bail Bonds in Waverly a predatory business.

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“I’m doing the right thing but I feel like I’m under attack,” Hamilton said.

On Tuesday, Councilwoman Mary Pat Clarke appealed the city’s decision to issue Hamilton an occupancy permit to the Planning and Zoning Commission. Clarke paid for attorney Fred Lauer to represent her, as well as nearby community groups and businesses that are opposed to Hamilton’s shop.

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Clarke, Del. Mary Washington and Waverly resident Joe Stewart all told the commission that a bail bond shop is wrong for the community. The Waverly business district along Greenmount Avenue has faced its fair share of struggles recently, such as a two murders in the corridor in less than 72 hours last year.

They argued the community is still struggling to maintain healthy businesses in the area, but allowing a bail bond shop, in an area already inundated with pawn shops and adult bookstores, is sending the wrong message.

“We still have not recovered from Memorial Stadium closing down and leaving us,” Stewart said.

The Waverly business area is also subject to an urban renewal plan. The renewal plan stipulates what kinds of businesses are acceptable in the area. Waverly’s renewal plan specifically bars such businesses as massage parlors, taverns and poultry and rabbit killing establishments. The plan doesn’t specifically ban bail bond shops, but opponents of Hamilton’s business argue it violates the spirit of the renewal plan, if not the letter.

Lauer also argued the bail bond shop shouldn’t be allowed in the area because the Baltimore City Council passed legislation this spring adding bail bonds to prohibited businesses under Waverly's urban renewal plan. He told the commission the Court of Appeals in 2009—in Layton vs. Howard County—decided if a law is passed while an issue is still going through the legal process, the law takes precedent.

The Planning and Zoning Commission members were not familiar with the case, and delayed making a decision in the case until it could be reviewed. Although David Tanner, the executive director of Municipal and Zoning appeals, called the decision “bunk” during the commission’s deliberation.


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