McHenry Co. IL Ordinance Change

[skalskoz]

What does (Non-agriculture exempt) mean? Does that mean if you are zoned "non-Ag" then you wont' be able to have chickens even if this draft becomes final. So nothing will change for us "non-Ag unincorporated" people?

I spoke with Darrel from the county's planning and development department and he said the language would allow backyard chickens in residential zoned areas. I agree, it is a little confusing with the "non-agriculture exempt" wording. He also said there has been a lot of public support for this and little public opposition. I encourage anyone to attend these meetings for the UDO to show this is what the public really does want and to not let a few nay-sayers get their way because they are a little louder than us.

 

[wantchickens451]

Thank you! I emailed the Camiro's, LTD, which is on the website where the draft can be found. Arista said "
The reason the use is listed with (Non-Agriculture Exempt) as part of the use is to make the distinction that these regulations do refer to backyard chickens. As the County is significantly agricultural, we wanted to make the distinction that these regulations do not apply to chickens being raised as part of an agriculture use (in such case, if they meet the definition for agriculture they are regulated primarily by the state, hence the term exempt).

The way the regulations in Draft 1.5 are written (and again they are not adopted yet), backyard chickens can be kept on any property so long as they meet the standards of that section."

I emailed both, Arista and Daniel, at Camiro's to inquire about when the next meeting is and neither responded.

 

[wantchickens451]

The County Board Planning and Development Committee and Zoning Board of Appeals will be holding joint meetings to continue review of the UDO on Wednesday May 15th 2013 and Wednesday May 29th 2013. Both meetings start at 1:00 and will be held in the County Board meeting rooms of the McHenry County Administration Building located at 667 Ware Road, Woodstock. The meetings are open to the public and you are encouraged to attend.

 

[skalskoz]

I will do my best to attend this meeting. It is about a 50/50 chance ill be there. I'll be the one holding a motorcycle helmet. If anybody else attends, please introduce yourself. Hope to see some of you there.

 

[skalskoz]

The one on the 15th.

 

[wantchickens451]

Please let us know how it goes. Im curious to know how long the meetings last, if they discuss when this will be final and what else is on the table for discussion. I had heard the meetings could be 2 hours long. Yikes! Our corporate tax returns were due today, so I was unable to make it due to getting signatures for the returns at the same time that I was to leave for this meeting. On the other hand, my husband was only suppose to work until 9:30 this morning, so he was planning to go. But he had a coworker with a death in her family which put his department short staff and he had to work the whole day instead. Therefore, we completely missed the opportunity to go. However, I will be at the May 29th meeting.. just to see what these meetings are all about.

 

[skalskoz]

I was unable to attend this meeting due to running around like a maniac before a vacation. Please lt us know how the next meeting goes.

 

[avocadoeggs]

Any updates? We live in Unincorporated residential Nunda Township and I was hoping for a few hens next spring...

 

[skalskoz]

The only updates I have are some recent meetings. Just google "Mchenry county udo" and the link will pop up. I think they are July 10th and 24th from1-4pm. I am, once again, unable to attend either of dates. If you go, please let us all know how it went. Thanks.

 

[emroses]

Hello there! We recently just purchased a house in unincorporated McHenry... I see this post is a few years old but have there been any updates as to keeping hens on residential property? Thanks for all the help