Orange County FL Zoning Approved for BackYard Chickens!

[Karikoo77]

I did call and found out what was said above was true, I am zoned citrus rural and my property is excempt. But the point of the county regulating the housing of the chickens is one thing, they should make sure the coop is safe to withstand a storm but to say how many and that you cant kill the to feed your family is still wrong. If I can get out of work I will go to next meeting to speak up for those in city areas that should be able to provide food for their family. Have to put a spin on it for sympathy.

 

[melemy]

I wanted to make that July meeting but couldn't get out of work. I am going to try my best to get to the August meeting and tell as many people as I can to come with me.

Thanks for keeping us updated.

As far as the HOA, mine is mandatory. However, in the CC&Rs it says the Board can offer variances, so if I petition a good amount of people perhaps I can get a variance voted on in the minutes and added to the ARB guidelines. But this will have to wait till the county approves first.

 

[melemy]

You can still send your chickens away to a butcher to get butchered. I think they just don't want you doing it on your property. Just consider the mess it would be on a small property.

 

[Sdiddy407]

The Ordinance Public Hearing is August 6th sometime around 2pm (Waiting on clarification from OC Agenda Office).

I am planning on being there and bringing friends, please do the same, invite your friends through social media and word of mouth this week folks!

Agenda Description
Amending Orange County Code, Chapter 38, pertaining to the use of land to allow chicken hens to be kept on lots or parcels with single-family detached residences and mobile homes - 2nd hearing (Continued from July 2, 2013)

 

[Sdiddy407]

Just received a call from the agenda office that given the current agenda items it should be some time after 3pm, but she couldn't be exact.

 

[dewbscott]

Greetings from Hillsborough County! I just started my application to Hillsborough County to do the same thing (or something similar). The city of Tampa just passed an ordinance allowing backyard chickens for egg production, but the county's zoning ordinance bans livestock (to include chickens) in residential zones other than bee-keeping.

I faxed in my request for a pre-applicaiton meeting with the Code Administration today...I hope to hear back from them soon. Can you provide (or know anyone in Orange County who can provide) any documentation to justify the zoning request? National studies, health benefits, urban gardening benefits, etc., etc..

Any info or points o fcontact you could provide would be great - I'd love to get this passed in Hillsborough County as well, and am happy to hear Orange has already done it...

Thanks;
Don

 

[mcdo6131]

Could you please tell me where the August 6th meeting is and what time. I would like to show up in support for backyard chickens. Thanks you so much. Have a terrific day.

 

[acda1989]

I also would like to attend the meeting on August 6th in support of backyard chickens. Can someone please post the details?

 

[OtownHens]

The meeting of the Board of County Commissioners is Tuesday, August 6th. The agenda has not been posted on the www.ocfl.net web page yet, but the vote on Backyard Chickens should take place when the board gets back in afternoon session at 2 pm.

There are several topics on the agenda for the Board, so it may take an hour or more to get to the Backyard Chickens discussion. However, the meeting room has wi-fi. You can bring a laptop and work while waiting.

The meeting will be held at the Commission Chambers, which is First Floor of the County Administration Building at 201 S. Rosalind Ave, in downtown Orlando.

When you enter the building through the metal detectors, there will be a desk straight ahead. Just go up to the desk and tell them you want to speak in favor of backyard chickens. They will hand you a slip to fill out with your name and address to make sure you get your time to talk.

You get 3 minutes to talk, but you don't need a long speech prepared. I always say I like the idea of fresh eggs, like knowing where my eggs came from and how the chickens are treated. I also talk about my 3 kids and how I want them to learn responsibility by helping to care for the chickens.

Attending the meeting in person is best, but if your friends cannot attend…they can still send emails to the Orange County Mayor, Teresa Jacobs and their commissioner to say they are in favor of backyard chickens.

Mayor Jacobs [email protected]
District 1 commissioner S. Scott Boyd [email protected]
District 2 commissioner Fred Brummer [email protected]
District 3 commissioner Pete Clarke [email protected]
District 4 commissioner Jennifer Thompson [email protected]
District 5 commissioner Ted Edwards [email protected]
District 6 commissioner Tiffany Moore Russell [email protected]

You can look at the Orange County web site to determine which district you live in. http://www.orangecountyfl.net/PlanningDevelopment/InteractiveMapping.aspx

Again, please pass this along to anyone you know who would be able to attend or send emails.

 

[OtownHens]

So, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners did not approve the ordinance to allow backyard chickens. The vote was 4 against and 2 in favor. The mayor was not present for the vote and she was one of the supporters. Karikoo77...do you want any of my chickens?