LORE info on Sarasota Florida is misleading

SarasotaClucker · Nov 16, 2010

The LORE map indicates chickens are legal in the City of Sarasota. That's theoretically true, but as a practical matter people with chickens are subject to a fifty dollar a day fine. The City Manager or his designee can issue a permit, but it can only be temporary and there apparently needs to be some public benefit. We don't know anyone who has such a permit, and our sense is the City Manager has no interest in starting. We're are working hard to change this situation and having LORE misrepresent the situation weakens both our campaign and the credibility of LORE.

Sonoran Silkies · Nov 17, 2010

Find out the exact wording of the ordinance. A City Manager is a hired position as compared with an elected position, and he is responsible for following policy as set by the city council and mayor. Failure to follow policy puts the city in bad light and could risk the city losing a lawsuit, not to mention the city manager losing his/her job.

SarasotaClucker · Nov 18, 2010

Thanks for your suggestion of pushing the City Manager to fulfill obligations. That's one route we considered but ultimately rejected. One one reads the wording (see below), it becomes clear that this is not really a solution. To start with it has to be for a "specified limited period of time", which means temporary chicken keeping. Secondly, there is supposed to be a "potential benefit to the city or the general public"-- a test other pets don't have to meet.

Finally, this really isn't good use of the City Manager's time and he or she won't face any repercussions from the board for not issuing permits unless it is clear the majority of the Board want citizens to be able to keep chickens, in which case they should remove the burdensome temporary and public benefit restrictions, something we are working on. The good news is that staff is supporting our efforts and people would be able to keep a few hens without a permit if this passes.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) above, the city manager or his designee may, by special permit, authorize the keeping harboring, raising or maintaining of livestock, poultry or rabbits (not within a dwelling) within the city limits . A special permit may only be issued for a specified limited period of time and shall set forth such conditions or requirements as shall be deemed necessary to mitigate the potential adverse effects upon neighboring properties. In determining whether a special permit shall be issued, the city manager or his designee shall consider the nature of the request, the potential benefit to the city or the general public which may result if the special permit is granted, and any adverse effects which neighboring properties may experience if the special permit is granted.

Sonoran Silkies · Nov 18, 2010

Well, one thing would be to provide a list of reasons as to why small poultry flocks are almost always a benefit to the community at large ("sustainable," "green" and "environmentally friendly (or responsible)" are currently very en vogue terms). If you can get the city council to set policy that backyard flocks are a benefit (not a potential one), then it would be up to the city manager to show otherwise

The way that ordinance is written seems more like what might be needed to hold an event that includes or focuses on animals: a carnival or fair with a petting zoo, or a parade with horses, or a poultry, smallstock or livestock show, etc.

LORE info on Sarasota Florida is misleading

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SarasotaClucker

In the Brooder

Sonoran Silkies

Flock Mistress

SarasotaClucker

In the Brooder

Sonoran Silkies

Flock Mistress

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