Pensacola residents may soon be able to drive their golf carts down streets lined with backyard chicken coops. These are among the issues the Pensacola City Council will consider today.
For several months, back-to-the-land-in-your-own-backyard advocates have worked with city officials to rewrite a city ordinance that deals with keeping chickens within the city limits. Though currently allowed, the practice is logistically unworkable for most city residents due to the current ordinance ‘s restrictions.
The city council will consider a rewrite of the ordinance, with the most relevant change being a reduction from 50 to 30 feet in the distance the coop is required to be from adjacent structures. Such a change would better accommodate keeping chickens on the average residential lot.
Other changes being proposed in the ordinance include limiting the number of chickens a person may keep inside the city limits to eight. The rewritten ordinance would also disallow roosters. Residents would also not be allowed to slaughter the animals for food.
The proposed rewrite also strikes a section from the current ordinance that gives law enforcement the authority to “capture or to kill any doves or pigeons.”
Another matter before the council this afternoon is the use of golf carts, or Low Speed Vehicles, as a means of transportation on designated roadways. The issue has been brought up in several city forums over the last few months.
Proponents of golf cart travel cite the vehicles as a good alternative for the automobile when going short distances. The carts, they say, are ideal for traversing neighborhoods.
The council will discuss allowing the carts on certain roadways. Apparently, Florida State Statute grants a municipality the authority to designate streets for such use. Factors such as the road’s speed limit, and the manner and volume of the traffic traveling the road are taken into account.
Also today, the city council will consider setting the tentative 2013 millage rate. For the city of Pensacola, the council is looking at 4.2895 mills, and it will be considering 2.0000 mills for the Downtown Improvement District. A public hearing on the millage rate–most likely to be held on Sept. 5–will also be set.
The council meets today at 3:15 p.m. for its Committee of the Whole meeting at Pensacola City Hall.
