Backyard chickens one vote away from becoming a reality in Winter Garden

On April 14, Winter Garden commissioners approved the first reading of an ordinance on a backyard chicken pilot program. The second reading takes place April 28.

By Jennifer Nesslar
| 10:32 a.m. April 15, 2016

West Orange Times & Observer
News

WINTER GARDEN Winter Garden residents are one step closer to getting a backyard chicken pilot program.

Winter Garden commissioners approved April 14 the first reading on an ordinance that, if passed, will allow the city to grant up to 25 temporary permits for residents who live on single-family lots to keep up to four chickens in their backyards.

City staff believes 25 permits will be sufficient but recommends those interested should begin the application process as soon as possible, should the ordinance pass the second reading.

RULES OF THE ROOST

Before owning chickens, residents must apply for a temporary permit.

Up to 25 permits will be given on a first-come, first-serve basis.

As part of the application process, residents must take a class on caring for backyard chickens through the Orange County Extension Office.

Residents can keep up to four chickens in areas zoned single-family residential.

Only hens are allowed — no roosters.

The ordinance does not allow residents to violate homeowners’ association codes. If a homeowners’ association prohibits backyard chickens, residents must abide by those rules.

Chickens must be kept within a coop or enclosure at all times.

Eggs cannot be sold, and chickens cannot be slaughtered.

The coop and enclosure must be hidden from a neighbor’s view with a landscape screen or opaque fence.

“One of the questions somebody asked is if they could get on a waiting list for permits, and I would suggest to them with the 25 out there, there’s not going to be a real issue with that,” said City Manager Mike Bollhoefer. “So I would suggest that anybody that’s really interested come in immediately the day after the second reading and apply for a permit — and there shouldn’t be any issue.”

If passed, the ordinance will automatically expire Dec. 31, 2017, unless commissioners choose to extend it. This allows the city to see how the program works before commissioners decide if they would like to adopt it permanently.

SECURITY BARS

City Attorney Kurt Ardaman gave commissioners a draft of an ordinance regarding security or burglar bars, and he requested commissioners to look over the ordinance before the next meeting.

In its current reading, the ordinance would prohibit bars to be over windows or doors visible to the public right-of-way.

It would not affect bars that were already installed in accordance with the Florida building code.

“We’ve been looking at this for about the last year or so,” Mayor John Rees said. “We need to, at least in my opinion, act on it. It’s just not very inviting driving into the community and seeing bars.”

Contact Jennifer Nesslar at [email protected].

IN OTHER NEWS

Commissioners approved a site plan for a single story office building in Windward Cay Office Park, at 3732 and 3736 Winter Garden-Vineland Road.

Construction on a parking garage in downtown Winter Garden is underway. The parking garage is being built on an existing parking lot behind the Garden Theatre, so city staff recommends visitors use temporary parking spots and other lots available. A map of parking spaces is available here.

Contact Jennifer Nesslar at [email protected].