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Residents urge stricter zoning rules after proposed church application in agricultural area
Summary
Multiple public commenters asked the commissioners to tighten Carroll County’s zoning definition of 'religious establishment' (chapter 1‑58) to prevent large, externally sourced worship facilities from using an agricultural zoning loophole; several callers asked for clearer criteria and stronger review by the Board of Zoning Appeals.
A trio of residents told the Board on Jan. 15 they want the county to narrow the zoning code’s allowance for religious establishments in agriculturally zoned land to prevent what they described as potential misuse.
John Tremaloni (self‑identified) said a proposed Ethiopian church near his neighborhood has generated traffic and safety concerns and asked commissioners to “take a closer look at the rules under 1‑58 about allowing an exception for an agriculturally zoned district to allow a church to be established.” He and other speakers said current code language is too broad and allows entities to buy farmland and host worshipers who live outside the county.
Shirley Appleby, representing a neighborhood coalition, supplied commissioners with a proposed text amendment and asked for a meeting with county officials and the Board of Zoning Appeals to review the issue. “Leaving the amendment the way it is…is too broad and open to fraud and abuse,” she said.
Mike Hinkle urged a narrow statutory definition and a mechanism for the Board of Zoning Appeals to vet whether applicants are bona fide local religious organizations rather than out‑of‑county megachurch operations seeking farmland locations.
County staff and commissioners acknowledged the concerns and noted the zoning appeals process and qualification criteria for permitted uses; no immediate zoning amendment was adopted at the meeting, but the public comments were entered for follow up and commissioners asked staff to consider options for clarifying the code and for sharing priorities with the zoning board.
