The Restricted General Business District ordnance was revised by adding flexibility of ‘other similar businesses’ to the existing list of permitted uses. Single family homes, which are currently present in the district were added as a permitted use as well. The ordnance was established to serve as a buffer between the general business district and the residential district on the east side of the city.

However according to Mayor Wantz, as written, the current ordnance has proved difficult to implement for business who wish to operate there. Broadening the permitted commercial uses and allowing single family homes provides greater opportunity to redevelop or repurpose lots in the district.

Ordinance 10-2022, Amendment to Yard Regulations, was passed to relax restrictions on equivalent yard fences in residential corner lots. Current City code restricts fences to four feet in any front yard whereas residents could build fences up to six feet in rear and side yards. However, a corner lot has a front yard and an equivalent yard. Since corner lots have two yards that face a street, both are considered ‘front yards’ and restricted to a four-foot fence.

Councilwoman Judy Fuller said, "I guess it comes down to people having power over your yard." She went on to say that residents, especially younger residents, deserve to have privacy in their own backyards with a six-foot fence.

Because houses in Taneytown are set back 35 feet from the street in most areas, homes on corner lots also tend to have smaller backyards that can be enclosed by a 6’ high fence than other houses, further limiting privacy for many residents living in corner lots. Under the proposed regulations, residents in most zoning districts will be able to have an additional 17.5-foot fenced in area using a taller fence.

Ordnance 11-2022, Amendment to Downtown Business District, will allow the opening of distilleries and wineries in the Downtown Business District.

Chris Tillman, owner of George’s on York Street, representing the Taneytown Changer of Commerce, spoke in favor of the proposed change. Saying that allow the selling of alcohol in the downtown area, which is currently prohibited, is long overdue.

Finally, the council approved amendments to the City’s Ethics ordnance include provisions governing the lobbying of elected officials and the lobbying by elected officials. Despite the city not having lobbyists practicing, it is now a required aspect and there is not much room for choice on the city’s part, City Attorney Jay Gullo said at the Oct. 5 meeting.

Other changes to the ethics ordnance include updated language prohibiting a town employee or elected official from accepting gifts from an association acting on behalf of another that is engaged only in representing counties or municipal corporations, such as the Maryland Association of Counties or the Maryland Municipal League. Revisions also includes prohibition against retaliation against an employee for reporting an ethics violation.

Gallo said the new ethics forms should be ready by mid January.