Winter Garden commissioners to vote on backyard chicken pilot program

Tonight is the final chance to offer feedback on a backyard chicken pilot program in Winter Garden.

By Jennifer Nesslar
| 9:13 a.m. April 28, 2016

West Orange Times & Observer
News

WINTER GARDEN Tonight is your final opportunity to comment on an ordinance proposing a backyard chicken pilot program in Winter Garden.

Tonight, commissioners vote on the second reading of the ordinance that, if passed, will allow the city of Winter Garden to grant up to 25 temporary permits for residents who live on single-family lots to keep up to four chickens in their backyards. Commissioners approved the first reading of the ordinance at the last meeting.

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.

The idea for the program came before the commission when several Winter Garden residents formed the Winter Garden Chicken Club, with hopes that a program would be adopted in Winter Garden.

Commissioners will also vote regarding an inter-local agreement with Orange County for the construction of a roundabout at the Roberson Road and Windermere Road intersection.

If approved, the agreement will turn the management and design of the intersection over to Winter Garden for the construction of a roundabout at the intersection. The County has agreed to pay half the price of the roundabout up to $750,000.

After roundabout construction, Winter Garden will hold full responsibility for future maintenance to the intersection.