Warren County considers allowing R-1 neighborhood chickens
6 October 2016 News
At a Tuesday work session the Warren County Board of Supervisors discussed following the Town Council of Front Royal into the chicken business – or at least changing codes to allow chickens to be kept in Residential-One Districts. Last November a 4-2 Town Council majority (Tewalt and Tharpe dissenting) authorized hen houses in Front Royal’s R-1 Districts.
The Warren County Board of Supervisors ponder chickens in R-1 neighborhood yards under certain guideline.
The Board authorized advertisement of a November 15th Public Hearing on a proposed Code change that would follow Front Royal’s lead in authorizing up to 6 chickens to be kept in any residential lot meeting setback requirements. County Planning Director Taryn Logan said the 6-chicken maximum was a change recommended by the Planning Commission after a Public Hearing at which there were significant concerns expressed.
The Warren Planning Commission initially drafted a code that would allow 24 chickens on lots 2 acres and larger; and as many as 12 on R-1 lots from a half-acre to two acres.
Conditions in the current proposal include:
- restricts chickens to containment in a coop or enclosed pen;
- does not allow commercial transactions or sales;
- requires a 25-foot setback from adjacent properties;
- and a 100-foot setback from wells, springs, streams and stormwater drains.
Renters must gain written approval from property owners or management companies.
A detailed Management Plan must also be submitted to the County for approval.
The River 95.3 chickens, Warren County Board of Supervisors, Front Royal Town Council