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Plan commission approves conditional use permit for cottage bakery at 1000 McFarland Road
Summary
The Portage Plan Commission approved a conditional use permit allowing an in-home cottage bakery with limited visitor pickups at 1000 McFarland Road after a public hearing and unanimous staff recommendation.
The Portage Plan Commission on Monday approved a conditional use permit to allow a home-occupation cottage bakery with visitors at 1000 McFarland Road, parcel 14091000.
The decision followed a public hearing in which the applicant’s husband, Cody Frederick, and the applicant, Paige Bistine, described the proposal as a small, mostly online bakery with limited, staggered, contactless pickup windows and participation in the farmers market. Steven Sobiak, the city’s Director of Business Development and Planning, told the commission that staff and the technical review committee had reviewed the application and unanimously recommended approval. He noted the property is zoned R-3 (single- and two-family residential) and that state law requires notification to landowners within 300 feet; staff received no written opposition prior to the hearing.
Why it matters: The conditional use permit allows a modest home-based business to operate in a residential zone under the city’s home-occupation standards, which limit floor-area use and bar non-family employees. Supporters said the business would use fresh ingredients and limit customer visits to brief, staggered pickups. Opponents raised no formal objections at the hearing.
During the hearing, Cody Frederick said the business would keep interactions minimal and would rely on online ordering and prearranged porch pickup windows. The applicant said she has culinary training and restaurant experience and plans to follow cottage food rules for food safety.
The commission voted by roll call: Craig — aye; Gunderson — aye; Knott Greiner — aye; Paul — aye; Schneider — aye. The motion to approve the conditional use permit carried unanimously.
The permit includes the city’s standard conditions for home-occupation businesses, including limits on the portion of the dwelling used for business and the prohibition on non-family employees. The commission did not attach additional special conditions at the meeting. The applicant may proceed with the business consistent with city code and state cottage-food requirements.
No appeal, enforcement timeline or additional permitting beyond compliance with the conditional use was specified on the record.
