Looks like we have our appontment in front of our community's Planning Commission. It sounds like the bylaws and ordinaces in our town differ slightly and I would offer an additional approach to those looking to break into the "Chicken Hobby"
In the zoning bylaws we researched here there is no specific prohibition against chickens other than "Commercial Poultry Operations" in a Rural zone. The only other item we found was the residential zone prohibits using an accessory building(shed or garage) for keeping of animals (other than household pets) so it means you cannot keep livestock. Rather than sneak behind the law through a loophole we decided to be upfront and apply to the town for specific permission.
Now as backgroound, my initial post introduced us under the "School Science Fair" because the idea for chickens came from my daughter looking at a possible science fari project ( 100 mile diet - sustainability - is it cheaper to eat food you grow?) type of idea.
We did our research (here on BYC) and found all possible objections then listed most reasonable ways to offset objections. We met with neighbour first and explained the idea, they were lukewarm and as we discussed and agreed to move the coop/run a little further away they seemed ok ( As of today 2 days from meeting they have not filed any objection)
Rather than try to change the whole community Bylaws and appear in front of the elected mayor and council, we opted to apply to the planning committee. In New Brunswick Canada,(and I think most Canadian town) the municipal structure does grant special powers to the Planning Committee. the two we looked at were
1) Temporary Use - where the planning committee can grant up to a one year approval to conduct a use otherwise prohibited in that zone by the bylaws.
2) Similar and Compatible Use Variance - where the Planning Committee can review a proposed use that is not specifically covered in a bylaw and determine if it is similar enought to the general uses in the bylaw and grant approval to conduct that use ( with conditions that must be followed)
We opted to ask for a Similar and compatible use and met with the planning Officer, This is a staff level person that prepares reports for the committee meeting. ( ALWAYS find a good staff contact!!!)
We presented the School science fair idea with the additional committment it was a genuine family project - wouldn't be forgotten or run down or abused and also discussed the sustainability idea.
We also offered as a condition we would prepare a year end report of pros cons etc for the town to use as a background in case they ever wanted to change thier bylaws or if they received similar requests We would be sort of test case!
So far the potential for success looks good, the staff officer likes the idea of a test case and also getting an objective report at the end. Also as conditions the Planning committee can shut us down if we do not kep up our end of bargain.
So if they go this way it also encouages my 12 yr old daugther to keep up her end of bargain! As it is she will be makng a PowerPoint presentation to the Planning Committee to make our case!
(Who turns down a cute 12 yr old girl????
Wish us luck!
In the zoning bylaws we researched here there is no specific prohibition against chickens other than "Commercial Poultry Operations" in a Rural zone. The only other item we found was the residential zone prohibits using an accessory building(shed or garage) for keeping of animals (other than household pets) so it means you cannot keep livestock. Rather than sneak behind the law through a loophole we decided to be upfront and apply to the town for specific permission.
Now as backgroound, my initial post introduced us under the "School Science Fair" because the idea for chickens came from my daughter looking at a possible science fari project ( 100 mile diet - sustainability - is it cheaper to eat food you grow?) type of idea.
We did our research (here on BYC) and found all possible objections then listed most reasonable ways to offset objections. We met with neighbour first and explained the idea, they were lukewarm and as we discussed and agreed to move the coop/run a little further away they seemed ok ( As of today 2 days from meeting they have not filed any objection)
Rather than try to change the whole community Bylaws and appear in front of the elected mayor and council, we opted to apply to the planning committee. In New Brunswick Canada,(and I think most Canadian town) the municipal structure does grant special powers to the Planning Committee. the two we looked at were
1) Temporary Use - where the planning committee can grant up to a one year approval to conduct a use otherwise prohibited in that zone by the bylaws.
2) Similar and Compatible Use Variance - where the Planning Committee can review a proposed use that is not specifically covered in a bylaw and determine if it is similar enought to the general uses in the bylaw and grant approval to conduct that use ( with conditions that must be followed)
We opted to ask for a Similar and compatible use and met with the planning Officer, This is a staff level person that prepares reports for the committee meeting. ( ALWAYS find a good staff contact!!!)
We presented the School science fair idea with the additional committment it was a genuine family project - wouldn't be forgotten or run down or abused and also discussed the sustainability idea.
We also offered as a condition we would prepare a year end report of pros cons etc for the town to use as a background in case they ever wanted to change thier bylaws or if they received similar requests We would be sort of test case!
So far the potential for success looks good, the staff officer likes the idea of a test case and also getting an objective report at the end. Also as conditions the Planning committee can shut us down if we do not kep up our end of bargain.
So if they go this way it also encouages my 12 yr old daugther to keep up her end of bargain! As it is she will be makng a PowerPoint presentation to the Planning Committee to make our case!
(Who turns down a cute 12 yr old girl????
Wish us luck!
