Winder Planning Board Offers 'No Comment' on Domestic Fowl Ordinance

Winder residents may soon be allowed to keep domestic fowl on their property, as the city's planning board failed to take make a recommendation on a proposed ordinance that would allow it.

The ordinance will now go on to the city council for action May 3.

No resident was present to address the issue either in favor nor opposition during the public hearing that was held prior to the regular meeting Tuesday, April 19. Planning Director Barry Edgar did, however, brief the board on the ordinance.

If revisions to the official City of Winder Code of Ordinances are made, it would allow that domestic fowl may be owned in areas zoned Agricultre-1 and Agriculture-2.

The change would only affect property owners who own five or more acres.

“There’s only half-a-dozen (residents) with the five acres they need to have this (in the effected zones),” board member Bobby Deaton said. “Well they’re the ones that need to be here.”

As far as who would enforce the regulation, Edgar said it would be code enforcement's job — and there is currently only one officer.

“I’m just concerned that we don’t have the resources with this economy like this that we can keep up with all this,” board member Betty Segars said.

According to Edgar, no resident has called his office requesting the ordinance change, so demand for keeping domestic fowl appears low.

“Some people’s going to (own them) despite it,” Deaton said. “It’s just a hard decision.”

In the ordinance, domestic fowl are defined as female chickens, chicks and ducks.

“We either like the ordinance like it was before these recommended changes or we like these recommended changes or we like something different, or we have no comment as a board,” board Chairman David Jackson said.

Ultimately, the board decided it had no comment, so no recommendation was made to the city council.

Other business

• The council touched back on an item that was tabled from last month, which was the rezoning of .51 of an acre at 88 McNeal Road for a child care/day care facility. The planning staff recommended the applicant increase the parking zone. The planning board recommended approval, and the action will go before the city council May 3.
• Due to recent employment, board member Joanne Evans resigned from her position. The city council will appoint a new member to the planning board.