Commission approves zoning text amendments for off‑road parks and residential poultry setbacks

The Ware County Commission voted July 13 to amend zoning code language to create standards for off‑road motorized vehicle parks and to add setbacks and rooster restrictions for noncommercial poultry in residential zones.

Planning staff explained the off‑road language would add a definition and set minimum lot sizes (100 acres for riding trail complexes, 20 acres for competition tracks), a 300‑foot setback for tracks from residences, and a 100‑foot vegetative buffer to mitigate sound and visual impacts. Staff said the provision can be either a permitted or conditional use in the appropriate commercial or agricultural districts; the board clarified permitted/conditional status during the discussion.

On poultry, staff proposed mirroring a city ordinance to permit noncommercial poultry in residentially zoned parcels under set conditions: fewer than 25 birds requires coops and runs to be set back 100 feet from neighboring residences; 25 or more poultry requires 1,000‑foot setbacks. The draft also prohibited roosters in residential zones to limit noise. Members of the public spoke in support, arguing the rules restore small producers’ ability to raise food while providing nuisance protections for neighbors.

Commissioners emphasized nuisance enforcement remains available and noted the amendments aim to balance residents’ interests with neighbor protections. The board approved both text amendments and instructed staff to finalize ordinance wording consistent with the clarified permitted/conditional categories.