My letter to soon to be mayor

[MTlion86]

Here is my Email. Please give feedback. What to do next, who else to contact, anything I should change or add to the letter. I know it's not the greatest but it might work, especially with that hubbub down in Vegas about chickens.



I am requesting a change to the municiple city code 7.04.120 B. (Any fowl within three hundred fifty feet of any dwelling owned by another person unless such other person shall have filed with the animal control officer a written unrevoked consent authorizing the keeping of such fowl within three hundred fifty feet of the dwelling

Why should a home owner, paying property taxes, need the written consent to keep fowl? No where else does it say you need written consent from your neighbors to keep pet birds i.e. parrots, etc, dog, cats, ferrets, rabbits, snakes, spiders, etc. There is no reason why fowl (mainly chickens) should not be allowed in the city. All aurguments made against fowl can be made for any legal animal. Chickens don't attack and kill, they are not poisonous, nor do they populate uncontrollably, nor are they as loud as dogs, cats, or parrots. Plus they sleep at night unlike like howling, barking dogs.

There is no reason fowl should be an exception, put a limit on them like dogs, cats and ferrets. No more than three per house, and give them the same protection as other pets.

Thank you for your time and cosideration, if you have any questions feel free to email me.
Stephanie Lund


7.04.120 Restrictions on keeping fowl.
It is unlawful for any person to keep or cause to be kept, or permit to be kept on premises over which any such person may have control within the city limits:
A. Any rooster or the male of any species of fowl over the age of three months, except where permitted in the proper land use zone;
B. Any fowl within three hundred fifty feet of any dwelling owned by another person unless such other person shall have filed with the animal control officer a written unrevoked consent authorizing the keeping of such fowl within three hundred fifty feet of the dwelling;
C. Any fowl that shall not at all times be confined within a suitable home or coop or enclosed runway;
D. Any fowl in any basement, sub-basement or cellar;
E. Any fowl in any house, coop or runway which shall not at all times be kept clean and free from offensive odor.
(Ord. 1054 (part), 1987)

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Points are good; phrasing could be better--it is rather confrontational. Better to let your points speak for themselves rather than antagonizing your audience.

One part of the ordinance that makes no sense to me is that you cannot keep your birds in your "basement, sub-basement or cellar."

It doesn't seem to me to be within the city's jurisdiction to say what you can or cannot do in your own home. I can see regulating their location in relationship to neighbors, regulation in regards to noise & odor, but saying you cannot keep them inside your basement?

Years ago I owned a home with a walk-out finished basement--very cool in summer, and absolutely soundproof. I had a large party, and remember walking up the stairs to asnwer the doorbell. My guests at the door weren't sure they had the right house because it was so quiet. Downstairs you had to almost shout for the person standing next to you to hear.

It would be the perfect place for roosters or other loud pets