Developers of a proposed horse training facility in Perryman are threatening to pull out of the project if Harford County leadership does not amend the zoning code to allow for an additional 800,000 square-foot freight terminal.

The site of the project — owned by the Mitchell Company — is on the Perryman Peninsula and is zoned light industrial. Per county zoning regulations that were approved last year by the County Council and signed by County Executive Bob Cassilly to stop a 5 million square foot warehouse from going on the property, developers can build up to 250,000 square feet of warehouse space on light industrial land.

When plans for the 5 million square foot warehouse fell through, developers pitched the idea for a horse training facility on the property, which gained support from county officials and 3P Protect Perryman Peninsula — a community group dedicated to protecting the rural residential town of Perryman from turning into an industrialized area.

The group has been fighting large industrial development on the land for the past three years.

During a community meeting between the developers — Chesapeake Real Estate Group and Prologis — 3P Protect Perryman Peninsula members, and numerous elected officials last month, the developers stated they would pull the plans for the horse facility, should the county not allow them to build a warehouse that would be 550,000 square feet over the permissible limit.

In a news release regarding the situation, 3P Protect Perryman Peninsula called the threat “a move that has been described as nothing short of extortionate.”

“We urge the county leadership to stand firm against these coercive tactics and to protect the interests of Harford County’s residents,” said Protect Perryman Peninsula member, Glenn Gillis. “This isn’t just about Perryman; it’s about preserving the integrity of our community and ensuring that development is community-supported and beneficial for everyone.”

Members of the group say the added industrial development would harm the environment, flood residential roads with tractor trailers and ultimately diminish the history and quality of life in the area.

In the 1990s the land was zoned for agricultural use. County officials wanted to build two roads — Perryman Road West and Perryman Road East — on the property, which required the land to be rezoned to light industrial.

More than 20 years later, the roads have not been built and 3P Protect Perryman Peninsula is urging the county to rezone the land for agricultural use to end the possibility of any large industrial development on the land.

“3P is afraid developers are going to keep coming back year after year with new plans and when the politicians change, we are worried the interpretation of the code may change,” said Paul Fallace, president of 3P Protect Perryman Peninsula. “We think the zoning should change back to agricultural until both roads are completed.”

The group wants the land to be designated as a state park with a historical, heritage and an equestrian theme — ensuring that the land remains public and is protected from industrial development.

“The thoroughbred training facility must move forward independently, without being tied to unlawful industrial development,” said Rignal Baldwin V, legal counsel for 3P Protect Perryman Peninsula. “The developer’s attempt to push through a project that violates the county code is an affront to Harford County’s elected officials and the community they serve.”

Representatives with Chesapeake Real Estate Group and Pologis could not be reached for comment.