More than a week after the Sarasota County Commission acted the Sarasota Herald Tribune ran a Zach Murdoch story about the renewed push for backyard hens. You can read the story here.
One part article makes it seem as though there is some question about "whether homeowners' associations and deed restricted communities would be able to adopt rules limiting chickens in their own communities."
The City of Sarasota ordinance is very clear, CLUCK has been clear, and the Commissioners have been clear that those neighborhoods with mandatory Homeowner Associations (HOAs) will be able to adopt prohibitions on poultry that supersede any County permissions.
One Commissioner has proven to be a wellspring of objections, concerns, and Rumpelstiltskin-worthy tasks. The other four have voted to move forward. The article quoted Commissioner Robinson expressing concerns about financial impact, neighborhood impact, and abandoned pets. None of these has been a measurable issue in the City of Sarasota, which as of this posting has allowed chickens for five years, one month and ten days.
