Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Zoning topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Frostburg staff propose zoning change to allow small-scale artisan manufacturing in commercial areas
Summary
Staff proposed amending the zoning ordinance to permit artisan and small-scale manufacturing as a primary use in commercial districts and as a special exception in residential districts; council set the item for first reading next week.
City staff presented a proposed text amendment to Frostburg’s zoning ordinance on Dec. 9 that would reclassify artisan small‑scale manufacturing as a permitted use in commercial districts and add it as a special‑exception use in residential districts.
What the change would do: Under the proposal, small‑scale artisan activities that meet the zoning‑ordinance criteria (section 8.2) could be permitted by staff in commercial zones after review. In residential districts the use would remain subject to approval by the Board of Zoning Appeals as a special exception and would still need to meet the ordinance criteria (for example, limits on deliveries, noise, odors and scale).
Why the change: Staff said the amendment responds to recent inquiries — including an approved request to grow mushrooms in a basement in a C‑1 commercial district — and aims to provide clear standards and a permit checklist so small operations in appropriate locations can be evaluated more efficiently. The presenter emphasized the amendment would not eliminate review: applicants must still meet all criteria before being allowed to operate.
Next step: The council confirmed this will be presented as a first reading of an ordinance at next week’s meeting; staff will bring the formal text for the council’s consideration.
