A Flagler Beach resident on Thursday urged the commission to maintain the existing municipal ban on backyard poultry, saying neighborhood density, public‑health risks and noise make chickens unsuitable for most lots in the city.

Lou Pankas, who gave his address during public comment, cited Chapter 5 of the code of ordinances and described a neighbor dispute over chickens at 804 Powell Street. “Despite this clear and ongoing violation, code enforcement has been instructed by the city attorney not to act,” Pankas said, adding that he believes selective enforcement undermines public trust.

City Manager and the City Attorney responded that the matter of whether to enforce pending violations while the commission considers a code change has been handled previously. The city attorney said the city generally avoids prosecuting violations when the commission is actively reviewing code amendments because a prosecution could force someone to undo an action that might become lawful under a changed ordinance. The commission scheduled the matter for the Sept. 11 meeting for fuller discussion and directed staff to place a draft ordinance on that agenda.

Commissioners said they expect to discuss safeguards if a poultry ordinance is drafted, including coop requirements and limits tied to lot size. The item will return to the commission for formal consideration; no ordinance was adopted on Thursday and no enforcement action was taken by the commission that night.

Ending: The commission placed backyard‑poultry ordinance discussion on the Sept. 11 meeting agenda; staff and the city attorney will prepare materials and draft language for that meeting.