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Eustis commissioners discuss backyard chickens, note $800 conditional-use process
Summary
Commissioners raised constituent concerns about an $800 fee tied to conditional-use applications for keeping chickens; staff said the conditional-use fee applies across uses and that specifics such as coop size and setbacks are handled case by case.
Commissioners discussed constituent concerns about the cost and regulation of keeping backyard chickens in the City of Eustis, including a frequently cited $800 fee tied to conditional-use review.
Commissioner George said residents had raised worries that an $800 cost for conditional-use approval deterred would-be backyard chicken owners. “$800 is a lot for somebody who wants to, in the right scenario, have some potential chickens, fresh fresh eggs,” he said.
A city staff member responded that the city treats the request as an agricultural use in a residential district and that the conditional-use application process carries an $800 fee “across the board” for conditional-use requests. The staff member said details such as coop size, setbacks and the handling of deceased animals are typically reviewed on a case-by-case basis under the conditional-use process.
Commissioner George said he did not expect the commission to adopt one-size-fits-all coop standards that night but wanted staff to provide the relevant zoning information for commissioners to review. The commission asked staff to provide the code sections that set which districts allow agricultural uses as conditional uses and to circulate any existing regulations so commissioners could consider whether adjustments or exemptions might be appropriate.
No motion was made at the meeting. The issue was identified as a potential future agenda item for further review and possible policy discussion; commissioners did not adopt any fee change or new regulation during the session.
