- Jul 31, 2009
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I first posted in 2009, about my desire for back-yard chickens. My home is inside town limits and the bylaws clearly state NO to livestock, including hens. Although the no-hens rule seems silly to me, I really don't want to engage in a pitched battle. The story below is a positive step - I think I will take a few copies to the next village meeting. 
BUT - If anyone here has gone through this process, and has simple, effective tips for changing village ordinances, I sure would appreciate the advice.
Happy Day,
Catlynn
petoskeynews.com
Hens now allowed within Boyne City boundaries
Sheri McWhirter (231) 439-9346 - [email protected]
10:15 AM EDT, May 9, 2012
BOYNE CITY — City leaders approved ordinance changes to allow hens inside city limits, but not without some clucking.
Boyne City commissioners on Tuesday voted in a 3-1 decision to make several zoning changes to allow residents to keep chicken coops in their backyards. The move is in line with a nationwide effort to promote locavores growing or producing their own food that is fresher and comes without lengthy transportation from another side of the country or planet.
But commissioner Laura Sansom maintained her opposition to the change, especially because Boyne City's policy doesn't include some restrictions she said she admired in other communities' ordinances.
"I just think it's the wrong environment for them," Sansom said.
Those who want to keep chickens in Boyne City will be limited to four hens and no roosters, will not be allowed to slaughter or dress chickens outdoors and must provide a covered or fenced enclosure at least 10 feet from rear and side property lines. Enclosures must be constructed to prevent rodents, and food must be stored in a way that won't attract them, either.
Finally, hens and their enclosures must be kept in "sanitary condition from offensive odors, excessive noise, or other condition that would create a nuisance," according to the approved ordinance amendments.
Sansom said she'd more easily support the change if the change included rules for city chickens that required: a minimum lot size; being single-family dwellings only; coops be visually screened from neighbors; a 40-foot setback from any neighboring residences; no slaughter at all in the city; and, specific space per chicken.
Commissioner Tom Neidhamer said he disagreed with Sansom and believes planning commissioners covered all the relevant issues.
"I just don't think we need to over-regulate this so it's the toughest regulation in our ordinance," said Neidhamer, who also serves as planning commission chairman.
Commissioner Gene Towne said he supported the change, as did Ron Grunch, mayor.
"I personally thought it was so restrictive that nobody was going to want to do it," Grunch said.
The move pleased Boyne City resident Sandy Hill, known locally as the "chicken lady," who attended the meeting.
"People are concerned about what's in their food nowadays," she said.
Hill said she'd prefer the city's rules allow her hens to run free in her yard, if supervised. But said she'd live with it, since that's now allowed. She also encouraged anyone who wants to raise their own chickens to first become well-educated on the topic so they aren't "just winging it," Hill said.
Grunch said that commissioners can always "tighten up" restrictions, should Boyne City's chicken situation grow to become problematic.
Scott McPherson, city planning and zoning director, said no permit will be required to keep chickens inside Boyne City. It will be a use by right, he said.
Sansom became the lone dissenter in the vote. Commissioner Derek Gaylord did not attend the session, but commissioners excused his absence.
Approved Boyne City rules for city chickens:
-- Limited to four hens and no roosters
-- No slaughter or dressing chickens outdoors
-- A covered and/or fenced enclosure required in rear yard
-- Enclosures must remain at least 10 feet from property lines
-- Enclosures must be built to prevent rodents
-- All feed must be stored to not attract rodents
-- Hens and enclosures must be kept neat, clean and sanitary to avoid odors, excessive noise or other nuisances
BUT - If anyone here has gone through this process, and has simple, effective tips for changing village ordinances, I sure would appreciate the advice.
Happy Day,
Catlynn
petoskeynews.com
Hens now allowed within Boyne City boundaries
Sheri McWhirter (231) 439-9346 - [email protected]
10:15 AM EDT, May 9, 2012
Advertisement
Boyne City commissioners on Tuesday voted in a 3-1 decision to make several zoning changes to allow residents to keep chicken coops in their backyards. The move is in line with a nationwide effort to promote locavores growing or producing their own food that is fresher and comes without lengthy transportation from another side of the country or planet.
But commissioner Laura Sansom maintained her opposition to the change, especially because Boyne City's policy doesn't include some restrictions she said she admired in other communities' ordinances.
"I just think it's the wrong environment for them," Sansom said.
Those who want to keep chickens in Boyne City will be limited to four hens and no roosters, will not be allowed to slaughter or dress chickens outdoors and must provide a covered or fenced enclosure at least 10 feet from rear and side property lines. Enclosures must be constructed to prevent rodents, and food must be stored in a way that won't attract them, either.
Finally, hens and their enclosures must be kept in "sanitary condition from offensive odors, excessive noise, or other condition that would create a nuisance," according to the approved ordinance amendments.
Sansom said she'd more easily support the change if the change included rules for city chickens that required: a minimum lot size; being single-family dwellings only; coops be visually screened from neighbors; a 40-foot setback from any neighboring residences; no slaughter at all in the city; and, specific space per chicken.
Commissioner Tom Neidhamer said he disagreed with Sansom and believes planning commissioners covered all the relevant issues.
"I just don't think we need to over-regulate this so it's the toughest regulation in our ordinance," said Neidhamer, who also serves as planning commission chairman.
Commissioner Gene Towne said he supported the change, as did Ron Grunch, mayor.
"I personally thought it was so restrictive that nobody was going to want to do it," Grunch said.
The move pleased Boyne City resident Sandy Hill, known locally as the "chicken lady," who attended the meeting.
"People are concerned about what's in their food nowadays," she said.
Hill said she'd prefer the city's rules allow her hens to run free in her yard, if supervised. But said she'd live with it, since that's now allowed. She also encouraged anyone who wants to raise their own chickens to first become well-educated on the topic so they aren't "just winging it," Hill said.
Grunch said that commissioners can always "tighten up" restrictions, should Boyne City's chicken situation grow to become problematic.
Scott McPherson, city planning and zoning director, said no permit will be required to keep chickens inside Boyne City. It will be a use by right, he said.
Sansom became the lone dissenter in the vote. Commissioner Derek Gaylord did not attend the session, but commissioners excused his absence.
Approved Boyne City rules for city chickens:
-- Limited to four hens and no roosters
-- No slaughter or dressing chickens outdoors
-- A covered and/or fenced enclosure required in rear yard
-- Enclosures must remain at least 10 feet from property lines
-- Enclosures must be built to prevent rodents
-- All feed must be stored to not attract rodents
-- Hens and enclosures must be kept neat, clean and sanitary to avoid odors, excessive noise or other nuisances
