Council passes ordinance to create backyard-hen program

[thelakelander]

After years of pushing from chicken-owners, the Jacksonville City Council passed an ordinance — barely — that will kick-start a 2-year pilot program allowing 300 people to own up to five hens in their backyard.

full article: http://members.jacksonville.com/news/metro/2013-11-12/story/council-passes-ordinance-create-backyard-hen-program

[Noone]

Congratulations for the 300.

[spuwho]

Can't wait until this hits national news wire.

[pierre]

Bold New City of the South

[strider]

 

Bold New City of the South

Actually, this is another case of Jacksonville being behind the times once again.  And this almost did not pass but spending 43 million of city money on the new stadium TV was passed with only two against. Sorry, bold is not the word I would use to describe Jacksonville these days.

But congratulations to all who have been working so hard on getting this passed.  It is a big victory for you and a big positive for the city.

[sheclown]

Congratulations Hens-in-Jax

The folks in this city will eat better because of your efforts and more children will understand where their food comes from (no' lil Johnny it is not PUBLIX).

A huge big step toward healthier living.

[JaxUnicorn]

WOO HOO!!!  Great job and fantastic perseverance! 

[Keith-N-Jax]

LOL at some of the comments on that site. You would think with all the resources we have these days people would be more intelligent. I think not.

[duvaldude08]

Where's Amanda? I know she is THRILLED right now

[Captain Zissou]

How are they determining the trial 300 people??

[FSBA]

How are they determining the trial 300 people??

Let the couple of thousand people who already own chickens draw straws?

[Springfield Chicken]

I've been to many of the meetings leading up to last night, including the ones with Planning and the LUZ.  Last night they took a perfectly good ordinance and made so many last minute changes that it's now much more complicated.  What they did at the last minute was to allow neighborhoods to opt out.  But that seems very arbitrary.  There is no proof that a majority of the residents in those neighborhoods actually feel that way.  But the basic components of the ordinance still allow what everyone wanted.  It's a pilot program for two years, with 300 permits issued, at a cost of $25 each.  Up to 5 hens, complete an educational component, and the permit contains agreement to allow Code on the property in the event of a complaint for a noticed visit.

[James Eddy]

I am pleased this passed. Great work to the team that brought this to the Council. I know it was a long trip.

[sheclown]

2015-337 has been introduced.  It will sunset the pilot program and make backyard hens legal in Jax.  The supporters of this ordinance point to the fact that there has not been a compliant lodged against hens during the entire pilot program.

The new ordinance hit a snag on Tuesday when it went before LUZ.  CM Yarborough wants to see districts able to "opt" out -- not sure what determines this -- and require a 75% of all residents to sign on to opt back in. 

Anyone have any insight on this? 

[coredumped]

I don't understand, why do we need the permission of the city to have chickens on our own property? Is there something special about chickens? Can we have potbelly pigs without permission? What's the deal here?