Madison County planning commissioners reviewed proposed edits to zoning sections 5‑2‑1 and 5‑1‑1 intended to clarify the county’s treatment of youth agricultural activities (FFA and 4‑H), add language to include homeschool participation, and to address whether small backyard poultry should be permitted on lots under 2 acres or handled through a special‑use permit.

Commissioners indicated general support for Jim Wright's draft language on 5‑2‑1 with the suggested addition to explicitly cover homeschoolers. The group discussed whether a $500 special‑use permit fee is appropriate for youth civic activities; one commissioner said, “They shouldn't have to pay $500 for the civics lesson,” and members floated alternatives including a nominal fee, a signed affidavit, or zero fee for qualifying youth events. Staff noted the county’s historic precedent: a 1975 poultry permit carried a $5 fee; when inflation‑adjusted staff estimated that to roughly $28.90 in today's dollars.

The commission also discussed whether poultry should be considered livestock under the current ordinance (which would make poultry on lots less than 2 acres a special‑use permit) or whether a narrow poultry‑by‑right exception should be drafted with standards for fencing and care. Staff advised referencing applicable Virginia code and extension‑service guidance rather than trying to codify highly technical animal‑care rules in the zoning ordinance.

Direction from the commission: staff will refine the proposed 5‑2‑1 language to include homeschoolers, consider fee waivers or reduced fees for youth agricultural events, and present a cleaned‑up draft for a January public hearing. Special‑use permitting remains available for poultry or other livestock situations not covered by the revised by‑right language.