Chickens and chicken coops in Juniper Point subdivision?
In the past few months individuals have made requests in Juniper Point HOA meetings requesting an allowance for chickens and chicken coops. I have heard that people wanting chickens in Juniper Point have communicated to the residents of this subdivision that the city council is leaning towards changing the zoning in Juniper Point. They are asking for an extension to continue to break not only the city zoning and Rosecrest CC&Rs, but also Juniper Point CC&Rs by keeping their chickens until the city council renders a decision. I am against allowing chickens in Juniper Point for a couple of reasons.
To me this issue comes down to zoning. We have specific A-zones designated to raise farm animals and the like. We have agricultural and residential zones in Herriman for a reason. Because of this, I am of the opinion that if an individual wants to live in a zone designated for raising chickens, goats, or other farm animals, they need to purchase a home in an “A-zone” (agriculutural zone) designated for that purpose.
If Herriman City allows an exception to this zone, then the HOA has to pursue corrective action without the support of the city to enforce its code. As it stands currently, if a homeowner is raising chickens in a residential zone, a neighbor or the HOA can call the city to enforce the ordinance and instruct the individual to remove the chickens.
I have been asked by some folks what the A zone includes. On lots less than one acre the A zone provides for food production. The ordinance reads as follows: “FAMILY FOOD PRODUCTION: The keeping of not more than two (2) cows, two (2) sheep, two (2) goats, twenty (20) rabbits, fifty (50) chickens, fifty (50) pheasants, ten (10) ducks, ten (10) turkeys, ten (10) geese and twenty (20) pigeons; provided, that not more than three (3) of the above listed kinds of animals and fowl are permitted at any one time on any lot smaller than one acre.”
I love Herriman. I have having the government force me to not be able to have a few quiet, clean chickens so my family can enjoy organic, fresh eggs. Some restrictions don’t bother me, like only allowing a certain number of chickens or pets. It’s a restriction on my liberty to be forced to live in some far out farming area to be “allowed” to have a few chickens.
Ed, thanks for commenting on this subject. I feel your pain. There are many times when what we want doesn’t work out for one reason or another. Land use issues are one circumstance that can cause people on both sides of the problem a great deal of grief.
As far as chickens in Juniper Subdivision go, I see this as a problem that should be examined on the most local level first. If Herriman City allows an exception to this zone, then the HOA has to pursue corrective action without the support of the city to enforce its code. As it stands currently, if a homeowner is raising chickens in a residential zone, a neighbor or the HOA can call the city to enforce the ordinance and instruct the individual to remove the chickens. If the city allowed an exception, any person in Juniper Subdivision would still be in violation of their HOA covenants, codes and restrictions.
I see your point of view, and am sorry. Perhaps if your HOA could be convinced that it is in their best interest to allow chickens in their subdivision, we could revisit the topic. As it stands, I do not see the city allowing an exception to the current zoning as a solution to your problem as the chickens would still be a violation of the local CC&Rs.