Caledonia Chickens - Wisconsin - Our Village VOTES TONIGHT!

[caledonachickens]

Both - I'll post the newspaper article as soon as it arrives. But this was my letter to the editor:

Feb 19, 2009
Letter to the Editor: Caledonia not interested in sustainable living

The Caledonia Village Board voted down a proposal Wednesday night to allow residents to keep a small number of chickens in their yards. Patrick Flynn, of Caledonia, was a supporter of the ordinance. Here's his response:

What I observed last night, based on community comments was a division of generations. The older generations were clearly opposed, and the majority of the younger generations clearly supportive. Those that educated themselves and actually read the proposal were in favor. Those that did not, had visions of grand ‘ol chicken farms in their neighbors backyards. They feared everyone in their neighborhoods would want chickens and it would ruin their property values.

We based everything in our proposal on facts and testimonials from other communities that adopted this ordinance. The comments made from the opposition were so far off base that it tainted the entire proposal. Kevin Wanggard made the statement.. “We will not allow outside communities influence what we do in Caledonia, this is our community and that will not change”. The board voted based on emotions, “what ifs” and fear that if we changed this ordinance it would lead to other changes down the road.

Self -sustainability in Caledonia will be difficult. An older gentleman said “the next thing these folks will want is solar panels…. That will really bring down property values”. What is sad, is that I do want to install residential solar and wind to power my home. When I asked board member Kevin Wanggard about residential wind power I was told any attempt to change that ordinance will be futile. It is apparent that this community is just not ready for this new generation and this new era to be self-sustainable. The majority of board members are focused on commercial development rather than the quality of life for the people that live here. I truly believe the residents in Caledonia moved here because they wanted to get away from the city. That it was the rural setting, farm lands and open areas that attracted them here. I would hope that our board would recognize this and focus on ways to preserve our natural resources and find a way to reduce taxes in the process.

Patrick Flynn

 

[caledonachickens]

Chicken proposal flies the coop
By Lindsay Fiori
Journal Times
Thursday, February 19, 2009 7:17 PM CST


CALEDONIA — The Caledonia Village Board voted Wednesday against a proposal that would have allowed residents to keep hens and chickens on their properties.

After more than an hour of discussion and comment from both sides of the issue, the board voted 5-2 to maintain their original ordinance that prohibits chickens in residential areas, said Ron Coutts, board president.

The proposal called for allowing up to six chickens per residential lot in an enclosed area. Roosters would have been prohibited and residents could have kept a clutch of newborn chicks for up to eight weeks.

Opponents of the proposal cited concerns about diseases, ordinance enforcement, predators like coyotes and skunks getting into chicken coops and potentially decreased housing values or trouble selling property.

“Today we have chicks. Then we’re going to have miniature goats. Where does it stop?” Coutts said. “Or somebody starts selling eggs outside and it becomes a business. It’s just opening the door for other problems.”

Patrick Flynn of Mona Park Drive advocated the proposal as part of Caledonia Chickens, an informal group in favor of urban chicken backyards primarily for self-sustainability. Flynn said the issue seemed divided among generations — younger residents were in favor and many older residents objected to the idea.

“People saw it as a nuisance,” he said. “I have to respect that and move on.”

*
While Flynn and Caledonia Chickens have no immediate plans to continue trying to change the current ordinance, they may try in the future.

“When the makeup of the board changes, we might pursue it later,” he said.

 

[NancyDz]

Sorry to hear that... I actually would have thought the older generation would have wanted it. Well next election push to get some new council members that would approve.

Good luck!


Nancy