Assistant City Planning Director Don Mesamer told the Council Monday night that more and more people are interested in home-grown eggs. “Chickens can lay up to 300 eggs per year and save a lot of money.”
No one testified at the public hearing Monday night.
In discussing the ordinance, Council member Brad Adams noted there were no provisions for inhumane treatment of chickens, saying “What if we had chickens treated in a bad way.”
Council member Cynthia Richardson pointed out, however, that the ordinance does require “good working and sanitary conditions.” She added, “It doesn’t say ‘don’t be mean to your birds.’”
Council Member Bill Turner said the ban on roosters is appropriate, considering how noisy they are. He pointed out that chickens eat little annoying bugs, just about anything.
The ordinance aloows owners of single family homes and duplexes to have from 2 to 6 hens in most locations in the city, withy as many as 12 for larger lots and in specific zoning. A property could have one hen per 1,500 square feet.
The hens would need to be keeps in enclosed and a predator-proof fence, pen or coop. Chicken coops wouldn't be allowed in front yards or side yards that front city streets.