\n\t\t\t\t\t\tCity commissioners on Monday night again will consider a proposed ordinance that would allow some Stuart residents to keep chickens. Two weeks ago, the proposal moved forward with a 3-1 vote. The second reading is Monday night with the bi-weekly meeting scheduled for 5:30 p.m. The policy would allow single-family and duplex homes in certain neighborhoods to keep up to four hens as an accessory use. “The City Commission recognizes a growing trend toward sustainable living practices, including the desire to incorporate fresher, locally sourced products into daily diets,” Development Director Jodi Kugler wrote in the agenda item request. “Additionally, there is increasing interest in providing residents with opportunities to engage in small-scale, backyard food production. Allowing a limited number of chickens on residential properties supports these objectives by enabling property owners to produce eggs for personal consumption.” Some commissioners said during a meeting that they want more information on how raising chickens would affect water quality and the mice population. Other commissioners pointed out that the same law was passed in 2017 and then repealed two weeks later when a commission member’s vote changed.They also requested that staff address the potential impacts of chicken manure from properties adjacent to water bodies within the city. On Feb. 23, the City Commission directed staff to prepare the necessary ordinance. On May 5, the Community Redevelopment Board held a public hearing and recommended approval to the City Commission with the following recommendations: a hedge in lieu of a fence, height increase of the coop to 7 feet, a 5-foot fence in lieu of a 6-foot one. On May 14, the Local Planning Agency held a public hearing and recommended approval for the City Commission with the caveat that the City Commission consider an annual fee in lieu of a $65 permit. The LPA also recommended a yearly license renewal fee of $10.Stay up-to-date: The latest headlines and weather from WPBF 25\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
City commissioners on Monday night again will consider a proposed ordinance that would allow some Stuart residents to keep chickens. <\/p>\n
Two weeks ago<\/a>, the proposal moved forward with a 3-1 vote. The second reading is Monday night with the bi-weekly meeting scheduled for 5:30 p.m. <\/p>\n The policy would allow single-family and duplex homes in certain neighborhoods to keep up to four hens as an accessory use. <\/p>\n “The City Commission recognizes a growing trend toward sustainable living practices, including the desire to incorporate fresher, locally sourced products into daily diets,” Development Director Jodi Kugler wrote in the agenda item request<\/a>. “Additionally, there is increasing interest in providing residents with opportunities to engage in small-scale, backyard food production. Allowing a limited number of chickens on residential properties supports these objectives by enabling property owners to produce eggs for personal consumption.” <\/p>\n Some commissioners said during a meeting that they want more information on how raising chickens would affect water quality and the mice population. Other commissioners pointed out that the same law was passed in 2017 and then repealed two weeks later when a commission member’s vote changed.<\/p>\n They also requested that staff address the potential impacts of chicken manure from properties adjacent to water bodies within the city. <\/p>\n On Feb. 23, the City Commission directed staff to prepare the necessary ordinance. <\/p>\n On May 5, the Community Redevelopment Board held a public hearing and recommended approval to the City Commission with the following recommendations: a hedge in lieu of a fence, height increase of the coop to 7 feet, a 5-foot fence in lieu of a 6-foot one. <\/p>\n On May 14, the Local Planning Agency held a public hearing and recommended approval for the City Commission with the caveat that the City Commission consider an annual fee in lieu of a $65 permit. The LPA also recommended a yearly license renewal fee of $10.<\/p>\n