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Planning commission backs text amendment to allow up to 10 hens with spacing requirements in residential districts
Summary
Jones County planners recommended forwarding a proposed text amendment to allow up to 10 female chickens for personal use in residential districts, including a proposed spacing requirement of 10 square feet per bird; the commission voted to send the draft to county commissioners for final decision.
The Jones County Planning and Zoning Commission on June 15 voted to forward a proposed text amendment to the county commissioners that would permit up to 10 female chickens in residential districts for personal use and asked staff to add a spacing requirement of 10 square feet per bird.
The proposal, brought forward for Norma and Amos Ferdinand, would amend the Comprehensive Land Development Resolution to allow backyard hens in residential zones subject to cleanliness, odor controls, and enclosure-size requirements. A commissioner suggested specifying space for housing — "10 square feet per unit" — to ensure animal welfare and reduce neighbor impacts; the commission agreed and asked staff to incorporate the language.
Staff (Tim) said he would draft the edited text and either forward it to the commissioners or bring it back to the commission if members preferred further review. The commission moved and seconded a recommendation to forward the amended text to the county commissioners for their decision.
Outcome: The commission approved forwarding the proposed text amendment with the spacing addition to the county commissioners for final action.
