Anyone in San Diego Country Estates interested in trying to change the HOA rule against keeping chic

[MissChicks]

I have had chickens in the past and would like to again, but the HOA doesn't allow keeping any fowl or livestock, only horses. I would like a few laying hens and no roosters. I really wanted this house, am not going to run out and get chickens, but would like to know if there are other members in my area who feel like it's time to change this HOA rule?

 

[Chris in South Park]

Hi MissChicks, welcome!
here is the link to the webcast of the San Diego city council hearing on Jan 31st when they unanimously voted in favor of urban chickens - you will have to forward through towards the later part of the video to get to our part, but you and your neighbors can make a presentation to your HOA by showing them this video and stressing to them all the same points the city considered in its decision.
http://granicus.sandiego.gov/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=3

 

[MissChicks]

Thanks for the info, Chris, I just watched the last 1/3 of the video, and I do agree that this urban agriculture support could help inform and possibly influence the response to my own proposal of keeping laying hens in the estates area of Ramona. Since I recently began making cheese, I am also interested in the small goat keeping segment.

It seems like such a no-brainer, in this economic climate, to encourage sustainability in agriculture in all areas, let alone an already rural area of homes with large lots that allow horses, but not animals that provide foods like milk and eggs.

Since I am a new homeowner in SDCE, and only moving in this week, I see my next big post-move project as rallying support for this proposal. I'd like to hear from anyone in the area who has additional info, contacts, etc, that could help me with this. Again, thank you Chris, for the video link and your efforts as well!

 

[puppyted]

Hi,

I wouldn't mind you having chickens. I remember that hens can get pretty noisey when they are laying an egg, but there is alot of dog barking out here, so can't see that it would be a big problem.

Just be aware that the HOA sends out their little white trucks (we call them the "Narc Squad") to spy on everyone's yards and homes. This can be a good thing, when it helps to keep the neighborhoods clean. But it often borders on the ridiculous.

ex. -

Complaint Letter - "You have weeds in your yard. You must remove them. We will check back in two weeks to make sure the problem has been taken care of."

2nd Complaint Letter (Received a few days later) - "You have a trash bin in your yard. You cannot have a trash bin in your yard. ( Of course we rented the trash bin from the Trash Disposal company, so we could clean up the yard per their original complaint letter).

It often appears that the people who get on the HOA board take their job way to seriously about many issues, and not seriously enough about others. Ex. - Pushing the restaurant on the homeowners. It has been losing money for years and years. The only reason it seems that the HOA keeps it going is to "please" the golf crowd that gets favored over other homeowners.

Anyways, there are alot of nice reasons to live out here. Just watch for those "Narc Squad" trucks.

Best of Luck.

 

[GardenerGal]

It's fine to have horses (big, make lots of poop, rivers of piddle, loud neighing) but not some hens??? Wow. Talk about elitist attitude!

Do the horse poop and stall cleanings have to get bagged in trash bags and trucked away in the night? Do they use funnels and beer kegs to contain the piddle? Or do the horse owners have to use gigantic Depends on their equines and dispose of them in sealed diaper pails?

heehee Sorry, just ranting.

 

[MissChicks]

Thanks for your input, Ted. I'm moved in now and of course, too busy to even think of the chicken situation at the moment. Still trying to find all my stuff amid the mountains of boxes in the garage. But I've met several of my neighbors who all say they would be fine with folks keeping hens and are very supportive of the idea. I'm guessing it would be possible to change the HOA rule with that kind of support.

I love it in Ramona, love the birds and rabbits and peaceful atmosphere. What a beautiful place to live

 

[MissChicks]

Gardener Gal, you made me laugh out loud, too funny!

YES, it does indeed sound like an elitist attitude, and I believe when this development of custom homes was first planned, it was exactly that behind the whole rule. In this economy I believe it's time for a change, and a move toward sustainability for all!

 

[GardenerGal]

I agree 100%. Time for a change.
You could always get an old race horse and say that your hens are his "special companions" and that he has to have the chickens around at all times. It's very common to have a chicken, goat, cat or other small critter as a mascot to keep Thoroughbreds calm. You could get a note from his veterinarian!

Seriously, good luck with your HOA. I do believe that many are softening the rules as more people try to beat the recession by raising home grown eggs and fresh produce from their gardens. Also, in case they don't bend, there are some coop-makers out there who make "camoflauge" chicken coops (stealth coops), or you could simply get a really nice little chicken house that is painted and designed to look like your home -- so it looks like a matching garden shed. Then you plant thick evergreen shrubs, agaves and other inpenetrable plantings around the run to muffle sound and obscure view, and no one is the wiser!

 

[MissChicks]

I like the way you think, Gardener Gal! I'm a huge gardener too, and was already planning my new plantings, so happy it's that time again! Will keep ya posted on what I do, thank you!

 

[Mentol1]

We live in the SDCE also and want to be able to change this, so does our neighbor. There should be no reason not to be able to change this!