The Carroll County Board of Zoning Appeals yesterday gave the owner of Bowling Brook Farm in Middleburg permission to open a 30-bedroom conference center there.
F. Mark Gross, who operates the Bowling Brook Country Inn at the 225-acre former horse farm, plans to open a center for business meetings and retreats in late 1996 or early 1997.
The zoning board heard testimony about his plans at a hearing yesterday. No one spoke in opposition.
Mr. Gross also plans to convert an horse shed at the farm into smaller meeting rooms and an exercise room.
He estimated the project would cost about $2 million. He must submit building plans to county officials before beginning work.
Mr. Gross owns the Westminster Inn.
FIRE
* Emmitsburg: Harney and Taneytown helped Frederick County at a barn fire on Irishtown Road at 7:16 p.m. Tuesday. Units were out for 3 hours, 30 minutes.