The Stuart City Commission postponed a vote Monday night on an ordinance that would allow backyard chickens in certain residential neighborhoods after a key staff member was unable to attend the meeting at the last minute. Commissioners plan to vote on the measure next month.
The ordinance would permit single-family and duplex homes in specific residential areas to keep up to four hens as an accessory use. The proposal was revised to include recommendations from the Community Redevelopment Board, such as standards for fencing, landscaping, and chicken coops. The ordinance was approved in a first reading earlier this year.
Amber D'Angelo, a Martin County resident, said raising hens provides families with benefits such as contributing to more nutritious meals and connecting with food sustainability practices. "Obviously getting to have fresh eggs every day. Getting to promote agriculture and outside learning with your little ones," D'Angelo said.
"It's also a property rights issue. I think that people should be able to do what they want on their property, as long as it's not harming anyone."
Some residents and commissioners have raised concerns about potential impacts on water quality and noise. "I'm hoping that the commissioners, the city commissioner majority will, respect people's property rights, respect their constituents, build back trust in this community because recently it's been broken a lot. And I'm hoping that they say yes to backyard chickens as a positive way to build back that bridge of trust," D'Angelo said.