Commission continues appeal on backyard chickens; seeks code review and stakeholder input
The commission continued an appeal by the Fanning family over whether backyard hens are classified as livestock in VR‑8 zoning. After substantial public support for allowing a small number of hens, commissioners voted to continue the appeal for 12 months so planning and animal‑control text can be revisited; the family can keep the hens in the short term under guidance.
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Joshua Fanning appealed a zoning administrator determination that backyard chickens on his property are considered livestock and therefore not permitted in the VR‑8 district. Fanning argued the birds function as pets for the family and not a farm operation; his daughter Tegan described the educational and family value of caring for the hens. "We keep them as pets for fresh eggs for our family," Joshua said.
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