Frostburg board approves special exemption for self‑storage at 12 Village Parkway

The Frostburg Board of Zoning Appeals voted unanimously Thursday to grant a special exemption allowing a self‑storage facility at 12 Village Parkway.

The board approved the exemption after hearing from the applicant, reviewing a favorable recommendation from the Frostburg Planning Commission and discussing site observations. The exemption was sought under provisions of the Frostburg zoning ordinance so the applicant could locate storage sheds in the TL‑I (Technology Light Industrial) district.

Rick Nielsen, the applicant and property owner, told the board he and his family built small storage sheds without permits because they believed permits were not required. “We didn't know we needed to permit,” Nielsen said, adding the structures are “just storage sheds” and “little pole buildings” with no concrete footers. He said an inspector later recommended adding hurricane ties to the rafters.

Brooke Nielsen, who identified herself as a tenant and pet groomer at the property and a family co‑owner, said the sheds were intended to serve local demand, including students at Frostburg State University. “I think it aids the community... we have college students coming in. They need a place to store their stuff,” she said.

A Planning Commission representative told the board the commission met on Aug. 14, 2024, and voted unanimously to recommend approval of the proposal to the Board of Zoning Appeals.

During deliberations a board member read aloud a list of uses that the TL‑I district prohibits — including manufacturing or processing of highly hazardous chemicals, animal rendering, junk yards, petroleum and natural gas extraction, and mining — and asked whether any of those activities would occur at the site. The applicant and his family confirmed none of those prohibited uses apply.

Board members reported visiting the site before voting. “It was... very clean over there. Not a lot of traffic,” said Julia W. Williams, a member of the Frostburg Board of Zoning Appeals, who described the property as well kept and suitable for the proposed use.

After discussion, a motion to approve the special exemption was made and the board voted in favor. The board recorded the application as approved and directed staff to complete the paperwork for the approval.

The appeals procedure was announced at the start of the hearing; the board noted decisions may be appealed to the Circuit Court for Allegany County in Cumberland, Maryland.