News

Woman seeks OK for chickens

By Michael D. Bates | Hernando Today
Published: November 18, 2012

BROOKSVILLE - Carol Aquilante of Spring Hill doesn't see anything wrong with keeping chickens in her backyard.

She enjoys eating the eggs laid from her chickens because they taste much better than store-bought and are better for you, Aquilante says in a letter to the county.

But there's one problem: The county doesn't allow chickens or other agricultural livestock within residential districts.

They are only allowed in rural zoning districts, so in order for Aquilante to continue raising her chickens, commissioners would have to change the zoning code.

Aquilante lives at 5505 Piedmont Drive, Spring Hill. Her property backs up to a wooded area and she calls it a "perfect area for raising chickens without becoming a nuisance to my neighbors."

Planning staffers said the board has the option of placing restrictions on the number of chickens, including a provision prohibiting roosters, a setback requirement for chicken coops.

Or, county commissioners can always grant Aquilante a conditional use permit, allowing an exception in her case for a certain time period.

"I have thoroughly researched the care it takes to maintain a healthy and happy environment for both the chickens and people and 3-4 chickens should meet my requirements," Aquilante wrote.

The board will take up Aquilante's petition at its Tuesday meeting, which begins at 9 a.m. at the Hernando County Government Center, 20 N. Main St. in downtown Brooksville.

Also on Tuesday's agenda:

Orion sued the county after commissioners removed them from the project for not adhering to the contract and finishing the project according to pre-set time lines. Orion blamed defective design specifications provided by the county and its project consultant, Halcrow Inc. The county then hired BCPeabody to finish the dredge. Staffers worked with Harvey-Taddeo Inc., Orion's subcontractor, to work out an agreement that acknowledges it owes Orion at least $4.36 million but would pay the company $1.7 million (to be divided between Orion and Harvey-Taddeo).

Daniel Merritt Sr., chief judge of the Fifth Judicial Circuit, will do the honors.

Rowden and Nicholson are replacing John Druzbick and Jeff Stabins, respectively.

To view the entire agenda and see staff reports on all items, visit http://hernandocountyfl.iqm2.com/citizens/.

mbates@hernandotoday.com (352) 544-5290