Orange County FL Zoning Approved for BackYard Chickens!

[Karikoo77]

I would be happy to take them off your hands... I am sorry to hear this and I was unable to take off of work to allow for me to attend. Not sure it would have mattered at this point? It is not completely dead so do not take down the coop.

K

 

[melemy]

I was at the meeting and I still don't understand why they didn't approve of it. The same arguements against chickens can be said for dogs and cats, but they are not prevented.

Who was the guy who was trying to get it approved? Can we appeal? Can we get this to a public vote instead of voted by the commissioners?

 

[OtownHens]

It was actually Mayor Teresa Jacobs who started this. Mayor Jacobs directed staff to review what Orlando did and see how it could be applied to Orange County. So, staff did the research and made the recommendation for the new ordinance. Dennis Mudge is the scientist from the Orange County Agricultural Extension office that helped set up the program for the city of Orlando and was the expert that answered questions for the zoning board that approved the zoning change, then the Animal Control board that approved this which led to the vote from the Board of County Commissioners. Not sure what the next steps are, but I am so disappointed in the board's decision I cannot even think straight right now.

 

[Wednesday]

It was actually Mayor Teresa Jacobs who started this. Mayor Jacobs directed staff to review what Orlando did and see how it could be applied to Orange County. So, staff did the research and made the recommendation for the new ordinance. Dennis Mudge is the scientist from the Orange County Agricultural Extension office that helped set up the program for the city of Orlando and was the expert that answered questions for the zoning board that approved the zoning change, then the Animal Control board that approved this which led to the vote from the Board of County Commissioners. Not sure what the next steps are, but I am so disappointed in the board's decision I cannot even think straight right now.

I am so sorry to hear this didn't pass. I am your neighbor in Oviedo.

 

[melemy]

If it was the Mayor, why wasn't she there supporting it when they voted? Did she know it wasn't going to get passed and was embarrassed to be there?

Anyways, I also learned today that since the 1980's every new development in Orange county must have common areas and an HOA. I think I am going to consider moving to Seminole county. I really wanted to stay in Orange but in consideration in how they are handling rezoning I think I will be better off in another county.

Does Seminole county allow backyard chickens?

 

[Jaybird0215]

I will help any way I can to get this re-introduced. My direct email is [email protected]

And here's a little video that explains the hazard of owning backyard chickens.

 

[harryarmst]

The Orange County Board of Commissioners met this week and voted against having backyard chickens. The vote was 4 against and 2 for. The mayor, Teresa Jacobs, was not in attendance and I believe she was for the ordinance. If so, the vote would have been 4 against and 3 for, only one vote away from passing. The big sticking point seemed to be the concern of people abandoning their chickens after they stop laying. Does anyone have ideas on how to counter this type of argument?
If anyone would like to see the actual procedings, they can click on http://otv.ocfl.net/otv/bcc2013/bcc080613/Default.html and look down the right side for the shortcut to the Chicken issue.

Thanks,
Harry - Orlando

 

[OtownHens]

Its a silly argument. An abandonned chicken has a very short life expectancy. I know people in the city limits of Orlando who have permitted chickens and they have hawks that make attempts at grabbing chickens. If people abandonned chickens we would not be overrun with chickens...as there are no roosters permitted...they cannot breed. What we would have is much fatter hawks.

 

[nikami510]

I thought the program was going to monitor those who owned chickens. If said people no longer wanted the chickens because they stopped producing eggs they could always donate said chickens to be butchered to provide a meal to those that have nothing to eat. This may hurt the owners of those who keep hens as pets which I understand but some people eat chicken.

On the other hand if they limited the people that wanted to keep chickens to those with knowledge about hens or at least the willingness to learn means the likelihood of abandonment is very low.

Those who complain about people abandoning their chickens don't have a valid point because there is nobody stopping people from abandoning their other pets. Why would you abandon animals that you had to spend hundreds to get and maintain. From what I understand they are requiring people get educated before receiving their permits and visits to verify compliance.That should help screen out those who not be responsible owners. They didn't even give us a trial period. That feels like I'm paying for a crime I've not committed. Somehow my rights have to be getting broken.

 

[rangebob]

I saw it on the news this morning that a group has brought a referendum to the table for the Orange County to allow backyard chickens again. I can't find the article but it was on WFTV at around 6am today. I'd like to join the group as I'd love to add the chicken to my aquaponic garden. Currently it only has ornamental fish in it but getting ready to build a 2nd tank to hold blue Tilapia so I can get a full salad or meal from the backyard for dinner.

I'm going to keep searching to find something. I've also placed a call to the IFAS office to see what they could tell me.