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Frostburg council tables ordinance to expand artisan/small-scale manufacturing into residential zones after strong public opposition
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Summary
After hours of public comment, the Frostburg mayor and council voted to table Ordinance 20 26-01, which would have allowed artisan and small-scale manufacturing as permitted uses in commercial zones and as special-exception uses in residential zones; council asked staff to refine language addressing traffic, primary-use and neighborhood protections.
Frostburg — The mayor and city council on Jan. 20 tabled Ordinance 20 26-01 after an extended public hearing in which residents raised traffic, parking, property-value and enforcement concerns about allowing artisan and small-scale manufacturing in residential neighborhoods.
City Planner Jamie Klink told the council the amendment was designed to let small, low‑impact activities operate more easily in commercial areas — and to create a special‑exception path for residential locations. "We would allow city staff to approve [in commercial zones] provided that it adheres to all regulations listed in section 8.2 of the zoning ordinance," Klink said, describing limits on trucks, noise, odors and similar impacts.
Planning Commission member Jeff Snyder said the commission’s recommendation reflected a pragmatic approach: classify artisan activities as commercial where appropriate and use the special‑exception process in residential areas so the city can place conditions and limit size if neighbor complaints arise. "If this is occurring now, the best way to regulate it is to have a special‑exception process to bring it to the city, to bring it to the board," Snyder said.
Many residents urged the council to narrow or delay the change. "I would greatly urge you to pump the brakes on this, in order to look at additional restrictions that should be put in place," said Lee Beeman of 219 Schalk Street, who argued the ordinance as drafted would allow a manufacturing business to become the primary use of a property in an R‑1 district. Andrea De Palaitis said dispersing small businesses into neighborhoods could undermine the work invested in strengthening the commercial core and historic Main Street.
Council members debated whether to delete the residential portion, rewrite language to tighten traffic and primary‑use limits, or otherwise narrow the proposal. A motion to table the ordinance for further staff and council discussion was made and seconded; the council carried the motion by voice vote and tabled Ordinance 20 26-01 to a later meeting.
The ordinance text circulated in the meeting materials would have: added artisan small‑scale manufacturing as a special‑exception use in residential districts; changed it from a special‑exception to a permitted use in commercial districts; and amended several zoning code subsections. The planning commission voted to recommend adoption at its Nov. 12, 2025 meeting, and staff noted the change was prompted in part by applications such as a proposed mushroom‑growing operation that previously needed a special hearing.
What happens next: Council directed staff to refine the language and return with clearer limits addressing traffic, primary use of residences, parking, and enforcement processes before any vote to advance the ordinance.
