Charlotte County Florida ordinances

[EightIsEnough]

I just received e-mail from Jie Shao, a representative of the Charlotte County Community Development Department. Jie included two sections of the new zoning proposal for RE (residential estates) only, since they knew that was what pertained to me. I can not figure out how I can attach them here to share. I cut and pasted what is proposed for chickens in RE zones and added it to the end of this post (PSS).

I did ask about all the zoning changes regarding chickens in my response e-mail. Since the commissioners were sent a copy of suebrown50's e-mail, I included her proposal for RSF zones in my response and asked if those options were being considered as well. I did see were RSF, MSF, CHCR, and MHC chicken zoning proposals were added to the original draft (those are also included at the end of this letter - PS). I just don't have the most recent version/updates to that section of the proposal. When I get that information, I will share it.

I plan to attend the Planning and Zoning Board Meeting on September 8th (1:30pm Room 119 at 18500 Murdock Circle, Port Charlotte, FL 33948 ) at which time the Planning and Zoning Board will be discussing the new zoning proposal updates and changes.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Shao, Jie <[email protected]>
Date: Tue, Aug 26, 2014 at 8:16 AM
Subject: Draft RE and Conditional USes and Structures Code
To: [email protected]
Cc: "Franks, Maryann" <[email protected]>, "Cullinan, Shaun" <[email protected]>


Good morning Michelle,

Attached are the draft code which will be presented to the Planning and Zoning Board on September 8th.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to let us know.

Thanks,

Jie Shao
Planner III
Charlotte County Community Development Department
18500 Murdock Circle, B-208
Port Charlotte, FL 33948-1094
(941) 743-1272 / (941) 743-1292 (fax)
Please visit our Smart Charlotte 2050 website to view the adopted Comprehensive Plan
Please click on www.CharlotteCountyFL.com to visit the Charlotte County Homepage
"To Exceed Expectations in the Delivery of Public Services"


PS - the zoning proposal draft on the county web site presently states the following for RSF, MSF, CHCR, and MHC, BUT this is NOT the updated version - that updated section was not sent to me:

Keeping of chickens in the RSF, MSF, CHCR, and MHC districts, provided the following conditions are met:
a. No more than three chickens may be kept. Roosters are prohibited.
b. The killing and dressing of chickens is prohibited.
c. Chickens shall be provided with a covered nesting box within an enclosed yard. Enclosures shall only be permitted in side and rear yards and shall be sufficiently screened from the street and neighboring properties.
d. All enclosures shall be kept sanitary and free from accumulations of animal excrement and objectionable odor, and constructed and maintained so as to prevent rodents or other pests from being harbored underneath, within, or within the walls of the enclosure and to protect from predators.
e. All animal feed shall be stored in a secured, rodent-proof container and housed within an enclosed structure.


PSS - out of the the two attachments I received in e-mail from Jie regarding chickens and RE zoning - this is the only part that talked about chickens (this is the most recent information regarding RE zone):

Domestic Animal Breeding, Boarding, and Training (RE)
(a) The property must be located in the Rural Service Area.
(b) Chickens shall be provided with a covered nesting box within an enclosed yard. Enclosures shall only be permitted in side and rear yards and shall be sufficiently screened from the street and neighboring properties.
(c) All enclosures shall be kept sanitary and free from accumulations of animal excrement and objectionable odor, and constructed and maintained so as to prevent rodents or other pests from being harbored underneath, within, or within the walls of the enclosure and to protect from predators

 

[EightIsEnough]

suebrown50 - my e-mail address is [email protected] - Great job!

 

[EightIsEnough]

Not sure I posted this - with the holiday and working I may have missed it - from Jie, the Planner agent that we have been working with - Planning and Zoning Meeting for Monday 9/8, 1:30pm Room 119 at 18500 Murdock Circle, Port Charlotte, FL 33948 - no agenda has been forwarded yet.

On Thu, Aug 28, 2014 at 8:37 PM, Shao, Jie <[email protected]> wrote:
Good evening Michelle,

I will email you the meeting agenda as soon as it is ready.

Staff will present the proposed revisions to RE, ES, PKR, AG, EM, RSF, RMF, RMF-T, MHC, MHP, RVP, CN, OMI, CT, CG, IG and II zoning districts as well as some special regulations to the Planning and Zoning Board on September 8th.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to let us know.

Thank you,
Jie

 

[suebbrown50]

To all Chicken Owners and "Wanna Be Chicken Owners" in Charlotte County:

If you're not sure if you can have chickens, here's the bad news:

Unless you specifically live in property zoned as "Agricultural" land, AG, you are NOT CURRENTLY PERMITTED to have chickens. That means most of Charlotte County does not permit chickens. The Municipal Code is confusing at best, but the Office of Code Enforcement is interpreting it that the Code only permits chickens in AG zoned property. So, if you have chickens, one complaint from a neighbor and you can be cited with a notice to remove your chickens in 10 days or suffer the penalty.


Now the GOOD NEWS:

The County Commissioners have it on their agenda to discuss. WE NEED EVERYONE WHO CAN SHOW UP AT THE OPEN MEETING TO ATTEND TO SHOW SUPPORT FOR THE CODE AMENDMENT THEY ARE CONSIDERING AND TO VOICE THEIR OPINIONS ABOUT IT.

Their proposal would only allow 3 chickens in most residential properties. I think if enough people show up and push for 5 or 6 hens, and no roosters, it would be much better. Three is just too few for most families!

The meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 8th at 1:30 p.m. in room 119 at the County building at 18400 Murdock Circle, Port Charlotte.

Please come if you can. We need to show them that it is long overdue for them to amend the county code and to permit chickens.

Thank you.











-

 

[Margy1]

Hello, I would love to go to the meeting on Monday, does any one have an idea on how long these types of meetings generally last? I have class at 3, but I really want to go and help support our cause! Maybe my professor would excuse the absent?

 

[Margy1]

I am definetly going to go to the meeting, professor is excusing the absence!! Is anyone planning on having a group meetup before the meeting at 1:30? I would like to be a part of that if anyone is planning on doing that, just need a time and location! TIA

 

[EightIsEnough]

Hi all - And thank you Sue for the rally cry - we need as many chicken supporters at this meeting from as many of the zones as possible. We all have a voice and need to be heard. All in support of our chickens.

Here is the latest from Planner Jie, with Monday's agenda. I hope this answers your question Margy1, and for those who are concerned with time and schedules.

Look forward to seeing you there - Michelle

PS - Sue if you have issues you'd like me to voice for you, please send to my e-mail.


Good morning Michelle,

The meeting agenda is located on the following webpage:
http://www.charlottecountyfl.gov/boards-committees/pz/Site Documents/20140908_Agenda.pdf

If you have any questions, please feel free to let us know.

Thanks,
Jie

Jie Shao
Planner III
Charlotte County Community Development Department
18500 Murdock Circle, B-208
Port Charlotte, FL 33948-1094
(941) 743-1272 / (941) 743-1292 (fax)
Please visit our Smart Charlotte 2050 website to view the adopted Comprehensive Plan
Please click on www.CharlotteCountyFL.com to visit the Charlotte County Homepage
"To Exceed Expectations in the Delivery of Public Services"

 

[EightIsEnough]

Margy, going there a little early, but can't meet in the morming. Have errands. Will try and be there by 1:00. Good idea to meet ahead if time.

 

[jilla]

Unfortunately I won't be able to get out of work in time . I hope all goes well and wish I could be there .

 

[EightIsEnough]

I just got off the phone with Planner Jie Shao, and she said that Mondays meeting will only be duscussing chickens in RE (residential estates), and not in other zones.

I am sorry for the last minute update, and apologize to those who thought (I did to) that the meeting would discuss all zones.

I am going to the meeting, regardless, and will report back as to what is discussed.