New Member!

Pics
Date sort Score sort
LizCarpenter

LizCarpenter

Chirping
Mar 7, 2023
11
104
64
Hi Everyone! Thanks for adding me as a new member. I've been keeping chickens for over 12 years in 3 states: Los Angeles, California, Westport, CT, and Rockville, MD. I now live in Poolesville, MD with my three hens, Skye (Cream Legbar), Luna (Black Australorp) and Petunia (Ameracauna). I have been in a few articles and a news show recently about initiating the change in zoning in the town of Poolesville to allow backyard chickens. After working with town Commissioners for almost a year with several loyal supporters, the zoning laws were changed to allow backyard chickens.

But our success has been very short-lived. Upon applying for a permit, which required me to take a higher education level course in chicken keeping (despite my 12 years’ experience as a chicken keeper), I discovered from town officials that even though I placed our coop 15 feet in from our lot line (according to requirements) that my coop is less than 100 feet from my neighbors, both on the opposite side of my house and behind me. My permit to keep chickens was declined, so sadly, I continue to “live in sin” with my three hens in Poolesville.

Almost every other municipality in Montgomery County has setbacks of 50 feet or less, so I'm disappointed that our town decided to default to the county setback of 100 feet, which is excessive for any suburban neighborhood where most lots are less than 1/2 acre. I would love to hear everyone's thoughts on this. Thanks!
Brie and Me with Chickens.JPG
 
Gee, it sounds like your town "officials" figured out a way to make it appear as though they were being cooperative while -- at the same time -- ensuring that few folks if any could actually have chickens.

I used to live in a town with equally shifty officials, but for me, it was miniature goats. Although the city attorney gave his okay, it turns out my little goats could not be housed within 100 feet of any existing or POTENTIALLY existing building. My neighbors had no problem with my critters, often bringing them treats and playing with them. And, none of them had any intention of building any structures near the property lines. The city gave me two weeks to relocate my goats. Both the goats and me were happy to get out of town.

Congratulations on your fight so far, sounds like you may have to keep fighting. And, I love the photos of you, Brie and the chickens!

And, I almost forgot: WELCOME to BYC!
 
Callender Girl said:
Gee, it sounds like your town "officials" figured out a way to make it appear as though they were being cooperative while -- at the same time -- ensuring that few folks if any could actually have chickens.

I used to live in a town with equally shifty officials, but for me, it was miniature goats. Although the city attorney gave his okay, it turns out my little goats could not be housed within 100 feet of any existing or POTENTIALLY existing building. My neighbors had no problem with my critters, often bringing them treats and playing with them. And, none of them had any intention of building any structures near the property lines. The city gave me two weeks to relocate my goats. Both the goats and me were happy to get out of town.

Congratulations on your fight so far, sounds like you may have to keep fighting. And, I love the photos of you, Brie and the chickens!

And, I almost forgot: WELCOME to BYC!
Click to expand...
Thanks for your warm welcome and reply! I will keep everyone posted on our battle to keep hens in Poolesville!
 

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom