Winter Garden Commission approves chicken program

A pilot program will allow up to 25 permits for residents to keep backyard chickens.

By Jennifer Nesslar
| 9:21 a.m. April 29, 2016

West Orange Times & Observer
News

WINTER GARDEN Since late February, when commissioners began discussing the idea of a backyard chicken program in Winter Garden, neighbors Jessica Stone, Madelynn Stone, Rebecca Zamora and Nicole Garcia have faithfully attended each meeting, hoping that a program would be approved.

On April 28, they got their wish. Commissioners approved an ordinance that will allows 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.

The program is a pilot program that expires December 31, 2017.

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.

There is a $25 permit fee.

“I’m just excited that the city has done this — more quickly than any other city I could find online. They’re open to suggestions,” said Jessica Stone.

“We have nice commissioners,” added Stone’s daughter Madelynn.

Commissioners agreed that city staff could work with those applying for permits in cases where it would be difficult for their yards to fit the requirements.

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

The agreement turns the management and design of the intersection over to Winter Garden for the construction of a roundabout at the intersection. Construction would likely take place during the summer of 2017 to limit school traffic that will coincide with construction. 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.

Commissioner Bobby Olszewski made the motion to approve the agreement “with great pleasure.”

“A big second,” said Commissioner Colin Sharman.

IN OTHER NEWS

City Manager Mike Bollhoefer asked commissioners to look into repairing the dock at Newton Park. He gave the commissioners a sheet detailing some options for the dock. He told them to consider that there is no master plan for Newton Park, so commissioners should consider how much they would like to spend on a dock when no master plan is in place.