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HomeMy WebLinkAboutExhibit provided under item 11.2Page 1 of 2 Tuesday, February tO, 2026 FOR ALt Dania Beach COMMISSIONERS THIS ORDINANCE REQUIRES A NO VOTE Allowing Chickens in Single-Family Residential Neighborhoods This Ordinance Represents a Severe and lrreversible Zoning Breakdown Historically, the City of Dania Beach allowed chickens only in Estate zoning, where parcels are a minimum of one acre. Ihat restriction existed to protect residents from noise, odor, sanitafion issues, vermin, and public-health risks associated with agricultural uses. That protection has now been dismantled in stages: 1. Estate zoning only - minimum l acre 2. Expanded into single-family residential at 10,000 sq. ft. 3. Further reduced to 5,000 sq. ft., with up to 25 chickens per property, and only a so-foot setback This is not a modest policy change. lt is a radical collapse of residential land-use standards. Residents Were Never Clearly lnformed or Asked Residents were never surveyed, never asked, and never clearly told that: . A use once restricted to one-acre estate parcels . Would now be permitted on 5,000-square-foot lots . With up to 25 chickens, potentially 50 feet from neighboring homes This ordinance was not campaigned on, and there was no demonstrated public demand. This ls lncompatible With Single-Family Residential Zoning Single-family zoning exists to protect: . Quiet enjoyment of property . Public health and sanitation . Predictable land-useexpectations . Property values and neighborhood character Allowing dense residential poultry keeping introduces: o Daily and unpredictable noise (clucking, distress calls, flock agitation) . Persistent odor from waste and bedding . lncreased flies, rats, raccoons, and other pests . ongoing neighbo r-to-neighbor conflict A s0-foot setback provides no meaningful buffer on small residential lots. Public Health lmpacts Are Being lgnored Well-documented public-health risks associated with backyard poultry in dense residential settings include: Page 2 of 2 . Ammonia odors from chicken waste, which can irritate eyes, lungs, and respiratory systems - particularly impacting children, seniors, and residents with asthma or respiratory conditions . Salmonella and other bacteria, which can spread through soil, surfaces, footwear, and stormwater runoff . lncreased rodent, fly, mosquitq and predator activity, creating sanitation and disease- vector concerns . Health impacts that do not remain confined to one property, even with attempted compliance These risks increase as lot size decreases and proximity increases. Enforcement Will Predictably Fail On 6,000-sq uare-foot lots, this ordinance guarantees: . Chronic noise and odor complaints . Subjective and inconsistent enforcement . Allegations of selective enforcement . Permanentneighborhood hostility Once adopted, enforcement becomes reactive, and neighbors bear the consequences. Commission Accountability A YES vote means: e You accept responsibility for public-health impacts o You accept responsibility for enforcement failure . You accept responsibility for reduced residential protections . You accept responsibility for property-value risk and community backlash This ordinance should not be adopted under any circumstances. The only responsible vote is NO.