Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Summary of latest CLUCK meeting 7/7/09

We discussed lots of important topics at tonight's meeting.

The facebook group was reviewed. You can join by going to http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=118190386787&ref=ts

We reviewed the components of various ordinances outlined in the article "Residential Urban Chicken Keeping: An Examination of 25 Cities" and discussed these in relation to our proposed ordinance as follows:

1. Number of birds - 3 birds, more or less restrictive than that, more birds based on permitting, start more restrictive and allow more birds after trial period is successful

2. No roosters but what to do about roosters people receive by 'accident' when they order chicks

3. Permits/fees - a small fee for individuals to feel more invested in their chickens; permits only with larger numbers of birds; exemptions for those who are grandfathered in or currently live in areas of the county zoned for chicken keeping; taking a class will reduce permitting fees

4. Enclosure requirements - minimum square footage per bird; wire gauge requirements; apprenticeship or classes for chicken coop design; free range only with 6 foot fence or fenced chicken run/chicken tractor in backyard - subject to leash laws

5. Distance restrictions - setbacks of 15-20 feet from nearest residence; perhaps closer with signed permission from neighbors

6. Trial or focus group of 100-250 (opinions varied) to show how it would work before city or county wide ordinance would be passed (limited number of permits issued for chicken keeping)

1 comment:

Rebekah Greer said...

I forgot to include:

training through the extension office or some time of certification was discussed

should we address the issue of selling eggs?

will there be added workload to city/county employees for enforcing this ordinance?