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Plan commission approves cottage bakery permit for McFarland Road home
Summary
The City of Portage Planning Commission voted unanimously to grant a conditional use permit allowing a cottage-food home bakery at 1000 McFarland Road after a public hearing and staff recommendation.
The City of Portage Planning Commission on Monday approved a conditional use permit allowing a cottage-food home bakery at 1000 McFarland Road.
The permit permits a home-based “cottage” bakery operated by Paige (last name not specified in the record) and supported in public comment by her husband, Cody Frederick. The commission voted unanimously in favor; the roll call recorded Craig, Gunderson, Knackreiner, Paul and Schneider voting “aye.”
The application was filed as Parcel 14091000. Steven Sobiak, Director of Business Development and Planning, told the commission the parcel is zoned R-3 (single- and two-family residential) and that the city allows home-occupation businesses provided they meet criteria including occupying no more than 25% of the home’s improved square footage and having only immediate-family labor (no employees). Sobiak said city staff and the technical review committee unanimously recommended approval.
Applicant Paige told the commission she intends to operate primarily online with scheduled, contactless pickup windows a few days per week and take part in the farmers market. Her husband, Cody Frederick, described the operation as a small, community-focused bakery using fresh ingredients; he said his wife trained at MATC’s Culinary Arts program and previously worked as a chef.
No members of the public opposed the conditional use at the hearing. The commission’s action was limited to the conditional use permit; no separate changes to zoning or other permits were decided at that meeting.
The commission’s approval allows the applicant to operate a home-occupation bakery with visitors under the city’s conditional-use rules. Any future changes to the operation beyond the conditions described in the application would require further review under city code.
