DRRC 09-24-20 Meeting SummaryDevelopment Review and Regulations Committee
Meeting Summary – September 24, 2020
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Members Present: Mr. Oates (Vice Chairperson), Mr. Jewell, Mr. Stowe, Mr. Morrison, Ms. Dawson, &
Mr. Kenney & Mr. Wagner
Members Absent: Mr. Banks, Mr. Thomas, Mr. Cline
Staff Present: M. Tyler Klein, AICP (Senior Planner – Department of Planning & Development)
Others Present: Bob Wells (Opequon District Supervisor) & Sherry Riley (Opequon District)
The meeting was called to order at approximately 7:00 PM by DRRC Vice Chairperson Gary Oates.
Item # 1 – Update on Previous Zoning Ordinance Text Amendments.
Staff stated the Board of Supervisors adopted the ordinance amendment to expand the definition for “day-
care facility” to include “adult-care,” on September 23, 2020.
Item # 2 – Backyard Chickens in RP Zoning District.
This is a discussion of a request from a private citizen (Mrs. Sherry Riley, Opequon District) through their
Board of Supervisors representative to allow backyard chickens in the RP (Residential Performance)
Zoning District. Staff stated that presently the keeping of chickens is only allowed in the County’s RA
(Rural Areas) Zoning District. As drafted, the proposed amendment would allow single-family detached
(SFD) lots 15,000 square feet (SF, or 0.34-acres) or greater to have up to a maximum of six (6) chickens
by-right. Rooster, guinea fowl, turkeys and peacocks would be prohibited by this allowance. Additionally,
single-family attached lots (townhomes or duplexes), multi-family buildings, and lots less than 15,000 SF
would be prohibited from keeping chickens. This amendment would also apply to lots of 15,000 SF or
greater in the R4 (Residential Planned Community) and R5 (Residential Recreational Community)
Zoning Districts as they also follow the RP District “Allowed Uses” list.
Mrs. Riley stated her intent to have backyard chickens for personal use for eggs and she intended to
follow all of the requirements outlined in the proposed amendment.
The primary discussion among the Committee was the appropriate minimum lot size and maximum
number of chickens allowed. The DRRC generally supported a minimum lot size of 15,000 SF and stated
that the use was intended for hobbyist/personal use only for eggs and not for commercial sale of eggs or
meat. The DRRC also supported the proposed supplemental use regulations for enclosures, storage of
chicken feed, disposal of waste, screening from neighbors/roadways and making a formal application to
the County prior to establishing the use.
Item # 3 – Other.
No “other” topics were discussed.
The meeting concluded at 7:59 PM.