Update 10MAY2010. Met with a PWC Zoning Administrator today. Jeremy Frazier joined us this afternoon when we met with Mr. Nick Evers at the PWC planning office. The meeting was very cordial and productive. We had a wide-ranging discussion, which lasted a full hour. He is genuinely sympathetic and wants to make reasonable changes to the law. At the same time, he has been given direction by the planning commission to look at one acre, and in the end framed his proposal around that figure. Here is what we believe will be proposed: option 3 from our proposed alternatives, plus stipulation of 1 rooster per acre on lots over 2 acres. Free ranging of chickens wont be permitted on lots of less than 2 acres. We also talked about setbacks believe what will be proposed is a 15 foot setback from property lines. Some distances from dwellings were discussed, but he seemed to want to stay away from that in order to make it easier to relax lot size restrictions later. At Jeremys recommendation, he will likely include some stipulation about coop cleanliness and fly traps. While the proposal will include chickens down to one acre, it will not likely do so for ducks, geese, and turkeys. We had some discussion about emus, ostriches, pea fowl, etc., but putting numbers on them seemed to be a bridge too far. He understood that the desire is to allow chickens on smaller lots, but conveyed a sense of caution this is already a big step for them, and its new. They are open to the change, but are cautious. He felt that the planning commission would reject a proposal that didnt have any land restrictions, and came back to their direction that he consider 1 acre. He said that if all goes well with the new allowances, then numbers may be increased and lot sizes decreased. That all depends on public interest, responsible owners, and good ambassadors that get the word out. Were not sure when the question will go to the planning board next, but Mr. Evers said he would send us an e-mail when he know. We will of course pass it on.
