City Council Allows Chickens, Will Consider Adding New Limits

The ordinance says:

The city will not require permits to raise chickens.

Several residents spoke against allowing chickens in the city at that meeting, including former Mayor Mike Lowry, who said some people weren’t taking care of the animals the way they should and he didn’t see this trend changes with chickens.

“I can appreciate anyone who wants to learn about farm animals and agriculture… but when you move to a city, a municipality, and I can’t speak for everyone, but I move or live in a city because I want to live by certain types of guidelines and rules I don’t want to live next to a guy who has farm animals that make noise and all the mess that comes with chickens.. .I know there are pros to raising your own chickens and eggs, but I think the cons far outweigh this. It’s just not the time, and it’s a bad time. timing with housing development,” he said.

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A few residents in favor of raising chickens spoke out, including one woman who spoke of disease and culling.

“Dogs carry diseases, cats carry diseases, I raise rabbits currently in the city, they carry diseases, reptiles, exotics, they also carry diseases. What helps is the preventative veterinary care we all provide to our animals as responsible owners,” she said. “The great thing about chickens is that you don’t have to take them to a veterinarian for preventative care. Most preventative care for things like worms or disease is available over the counter at places like Tractor Supply, Rural King, and other farm stores… As for waste, I also have platters -bands. Chickens make compost for the beds, it can be composted and that is one way to use it, otherwise there are ways to dispose of it in a healthy way.

The Council held a special meeting on June 10, during which legislation was introduced to make chicken farming more restrictive.

The ordinance is being amended because it “lacks certain restrictions and safeguards that would protect all citizens of the city,” officials said. The amended order would now include:

The legislation will update the fee schedule and required permits to add the cost of obtaining a permit to raise chickens on residential properties in the city, and to add chicken coops, combined chicken coops and enclosures and chicken tractors to the list of accessory structures.

The amended ordinance states that the initial cost of the chicken farming permit will be $5, and the annual permit renewal fee will also be $5.

With the ordinances already passed to allow chickens, Mayor Bill Cook said the council had 15 days from that original ordinance to bind amendments to the ordinance, so they had to hold a special meeting.

City Manager Randy Bridge spoke at the meeting, calling the passed ordinance “harmful.”

“The ordinance that was passed at the last council meeting was very detrimental because of the lack of registration, the lack of a maximum amount per acre or more,” he said. “It would end up being very damaging because of the lack of registration or whatever is behind it… This is absolutely one of the most damaging, if not the most damaging, ordinances that has ever been passed since I have been employed here. »

For example, Bridge said, if there is a salmonella outbreak and the county board of health asks for its permit list of where the chickens are, “we have absolutely no way of knowing where they are “.

He also spoke about the order to modify the original action.

“They’re not removing (the ordinance), they’re just ways for the city to be able to enforce it and make it safe for everyone involved. There’s a huge problem with not having a cap on an acre or more because one person can have 100 chickens, 200 chickens, that person can go to someone next to them and say, ” Hey, I don’t have a limit, do you like me to host your chickens and get paid to do it… It’s an order that meets everyone halfway, in my opinion” , did he declare.

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During the special meeting, a few residents also expressed again what they thought about chickens being allowed in the city.

“I think it’s, in a way, rather humorous that we’re talking about chickens… We’re talking about salmonella, but you can also get it in stores. Just keep a clean nest, a place for eggs and chickens,” said one resident. “You have to teach them like you do other pets. I don’t think this will be a problem, as few people will want or have them. The idea is to take care of them, like other animals.

Supporters say people should be self-sufficient by growing something and providing something they can eat.

The City Council will discuss and take action on the ordinances presented at a meeting at 6 p.m. Monday, June 17 at Heritage Hall.

For more information, visit newcarlisleohio.gov/city-council. To watch past City Council meetings, visit www.youtube.com/@cityofnewcarlisle.