PLACEMENT: Departmental
TITLE:
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DISCUSSION ITEM ON BACKYARD CHICKENS
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
executive summary
On April 5, 2022 staff was asked to bring an item forward for the Board of County Commissioners (Board) to have a discussion on backyard chickens.
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DEPARTMENT: Administration
PREPARED BY: Name: Taryn G. Kryzda
Title: County Administrator
REQUESTED BY: Board of County Commissioners
PRESET:
PROCEDURES: None
BACKGROUND/RELATED STRATEGIC GOAL:
On April 5, 2022 a member of the public spoke to the Board and asked if there could be a consideration for an ordinance to allow backyard chickens. The Board directed staff to bring back an agenda item to discuss having backyard chickens in the unincorporated area of Martin County (County).
Currently, the County has established zoning districts with varying uses for the unincorporated area. In any of the identified Agricultural Districts (AG, AR, A-1A, A-1 and A-2), there is a defined gross acreage and chickens are allowed. Chickens currently are also allowed in the RE-2A district which is rural estate on 2 acres. The RE-2A allowance has the same language as the Agricultural Districts which is 'Raising of barnyard animals such as, but not limited to, pigs, goats, sheep, cows, and poultry, provided that such animals are not raised for commercial purposes.' The other Residential Single Family Uses (RS) and other Rural Estate (RE) districts do not allow backyard chickens. The other RE districts are RE-1A which is 1 residential unit per one acre and RE-1/2A allows for 1 residential unit per one-half acre, has a minimum lot size of 21,780SF, a minimum lot width of 100 feet (FT), and a 50% open-space requirement.
The issue has pros and cons that need to be considered as well as requirements and restrictions that should be included should the County determine that there is a desire to proceed with creating an ordinance to allow backyard chickens. The County's established zoning district...
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