Please Help!

Hi Everyone! I had some bad news in the past few days about my chickens and I am hoping that someone may have some advice for me and can help me save my pets!

My next-door and across the street neighbors have been enthusiastic and supportive of my friendly flock and the overflow of eggs coming their way, but it seems someone has complained to the town (I think it must be from the adjoining neighborhood behind me). I made the mistake about not visiting them a year ago when we set up coop. I am not sure if they just don't think chickens are a good idea in the city limits, or if an enthusiastic egg call one morning set them off.

The bottom line is that my property is a few thousand square feet short of the town's (Wilmington, NC) requirements of a full half acre, although I have a generous backyard, and a wooded break behind the girl's enclosure. I have been ordered to "cease and desist" and "remove the offending fowl" within the next 30 days. I have a 2 Buff Orps (Maizy and Cozzy), a crazy Barred Rock (Zola) and 2 sweet and shy Wyandottes (Eleanor and Agatha). I hand raised them from day 1, and they come running for treats and petting. They are such an entertaining and pleasurable addition to our family, and it breaks my heart to have to find them a new home--and to not be able to have chickens on my current property.

Does anyone have any ideas on how to proceed? I don't know if I can apply for a zoning variance since I am so close to meeting the requirements, or if I will have to mount a full scale chicken revolution to get the law amended. Any input would be appreciated!

Thanks,
Ruth and the Pirate Cove Chickens