New Zoning Ordinance Sets Pathway for More Student-Friendly Businesses

Because of the new zoning ordinance, students can now expect developments in off-campus housing and college-friendly businesses. With the 1996 ordinance becoming outdated and not being accommodating to future businesses or landlords of student rental properties, the city mayor alongside the city council generated a brand new zoning ordinance.

In 1996, the city of Frostburg created a zoning ordinance that became known as the City of Frostburg Zoning Ordinance of 1996. This ordinance established all building codes and land usage for the area which was usually in relation to residential, commercial, or industrial developments.

Change for new zoning was set into play a year ago, when council realized a new trend in the off-campus student housing market. In the past, students were more likely to rent large homes with four plus bedrooms and roommates, but now students are more likely to rent out singles.

Frostburg Community Development Director Elizabeth Stahlman, and City Planner Joe Rogers told Cumberland Times-News that the trend of renting a one bedroom apartment shows that students want more responsibilities. “More people are wanting to live by themselves,” Rogers told the Cumberland Times-News source.

On February 20, 2014, the Frostburg council, Rogers Stahlman and other prominent members of the community, including Frostburg Mayor W. Robert Flanigan met to discuss the new 170-page ordiance.

Made available online to the public at frostburgcity.com, the ordinance is in final draft form for review. The City of Frostburg Zoning Ordinance of 2014, aims to give property owners ease when having to transform a six bedroom rental into multiple one-bedroom rentals.

The new plan is also focusing on opening more college drawn businesses such as coffee shops, sandwich shops, internet cafes, ice cream shops and used book stores. Opening these businesses will not only appeal to the students, but suggests expansion in the area.

These new terms will have an effect on students living in off-campus housing for a number of reasons. The spring semester is when single bedroom housing is in high demand. Students are likely graduating in the spring and need a rental just for the semester and prefer to live alone.

Senior and Biology major here at Frostburg State University, Nelson Dozier is a renter of a single apartment off campus. He explained how he enjoys living alone and thought the new zoning will be good for students. He said, “It will be cool to see more student-friendly businesses like a real college town. I always pictured Frostburg to be more business populated.”

Another student who is seeking off-campus single living for her last semester, Business Administration major Cierra Dupree thought the new plan will be a success. “As a Business Administration major, I see the direction the community is heading. Singles are definitely more popular and the new businesses will be great for down time and the weekends,” she said.

With a new plan put into action the Frostburg community can hope to see more student-friendly businesses, additional single rentals being made available, and an easier route for landlords who have troubles with house modifications. To view the final draft of the “City of Frostburg Zoning Ordinance” of 2014, visit www.frostburgcity.com.