Title
RZ09-11 Text Amendment to allow for the keeping of poultry in the backyard of single-family residential areas. (Second Reading)
Presented by Bradford D. Townsend, Planning and Zoning Director
Body
Item Summary:
The purpose of this text amendment is to authorize and provide standards for the keeping of poultry. It is intended to enable residents to keep a small number of chickens on a non-commercial basis while limiting the potential adverse impacts on the surrounding neighborhood.
The ordinance includes the following areas of special regulations to control the keeping of poultry.
(a) Purpose
(b) Number of Poultry Allowed
(c) Housing Types Allowed to Keep Poultry; Adult Residents Deemed Keepers or Owners
(d) Personal Use Only
(e) Poultry Enclosed
(f) Nuisance Prohibited
The proposed ordinance to control chickens has been amended to reflect a meeting held with members of the Roswell Chicken Community on Monday August 10. The items changed include the following:
1. Removal of the definition of domesticated chickens and replace it with a definition of poultry.
2. The keeping of roosters is now allowed.
3. Increased the number of allowed poultry from 12 to 25 to match the City of Atlanta.
4. Removed the reference to selling of compost and using chicken manure.
5. The grandfathering clause allows anyone keeping over 25 birds to obtain a permit to keep up to 15 additional birds.
6. The amending the definition for companion animals to include pygmy goats and Vietnamese potbelly pigs. Including companion animals as a permitted use in all residentail zoning districts.
Committee or Staff Recommendation:
The Mayor and City Council recommended approval of the first reading of the ordinance during their November 9, 2009 hearing.
Financial Impact:
N/A
Presented by:
Bradford D. Townsend, Planning and Zoning Director