No Ordinance. Still told to get rid of them! MICH.

[98cummins]

I hate when local governments think they can do anything they want.
get a lawyer they will probably back off after one phone call.
after tour attorney reviews the situation call the local media to set up an interview with you and your lawyer.
don't sell eggs out of your front yard you can get in trouble for that in some areas.
good luck.

 

[OldGuy43]

Yup, that's the paper alright. The chief came to my door tonight with a copy of the nothing ordinance, or more accurately a paper showing me what ordinance to go get in the morning. And saying the attorney sided with her. And that now it's in councils hands. And that the Michigan Right to Farm only applies to me if I'm commercial ( the first thing I did was send a letter of intent to the manager, so there should be no confusion there). ...and.....the chief and a state cop have been sitting in front of my house for an hour now, just sitting making a spectacle and giving my 5 kids something to keep looking out the window at.

What she (Chief) dropped off was the ordinance:
"Principle uses permitted.
All uses of land listed as a special land use shall be permitted throughout the district under which they are listed. Any use not expressly listed as a principle use permitted is prohibited in that district unless approval has been obtained from the planning commission for the use as a use permitted after special approval.".

That is what I was warned about?! I also picked up the entire village code for district R-3 which has nothing in it. When I say that I mean nothing citing any of the above, nothing about land usage. Nothing about any type of animal, tree or... breathing space. It gives the list of use of R-3: Single Family Dwellings, Residential facilities, Churches, Schools, Cemetaries, ect...
but nothing specific at all reguarding single family dwellings. So with this, no one should be able to own a dog or canary or park a bike in their driveway or pretty much anything.
So this general code covers anything they want it to. And the attorney sided with them on this?
At least she "says" the attorney sided with her. At this point I am seriously beginning to doubt her veracity. First, contact the attorney. Ask, point blank if he is really siding with her. Next, no matter what he tells you, as others have said, "Bring your chickens home!" When you do, do it publicly. Do not 'sneak' them in. That gives the impression that you know you are in the wrong. Have several people (the more, the better) present with video cameras. The newspaper with a photographer and even a TV station would be even better.

If they try to stop you insist that they write you a citation. Remember, under the 4th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution they cannot take your chickens from you without due process. In all of this BE LOUD!!! You have nothing to hide. Don't give up. You can fight city hall and win.

By the way, is Police Chief an elected or appointed position in your town?

 

[BigECarter]

I would at least consult with an attorney. The consultation might be free.

 

[cary 1973]

PERSONALLY....
I would start a "Journal" ( Diary ) of this process....and take photos of the Police Chief and "accomplices" and document everything I could (with as many witnesses as possible).
THEN .... I would SERIOUSLY consider filing a "harassment suit" against the parties responsible ( Police Chief, Planning Dept, etc. )

NOTE: I'm NOT the type to be "much-concerned" about how the neighbors OR community FEELS about MY ATTITUDE. THEY can "get-along" with ME if they choose - OR otherwise....It matters NOT to me ! WHAT DOES MATTER to me is the protection of MY Rights as an American Citizen according to the U.S. Constitution. I believe that MY ATTITUDE also benefits my neighbors...whether THEY understand THAT or not.

-just my opinion,
-Junkmanme-

I second this one document everything get pic everything dont just keep one copy either if pic download them to secure site on internet along with documations that way if for some reason teh cops take it away you have back up. i live big city lots of dirty cops that so stuff like this and DAs

 

[MaryLang]

NewsArticleFinallyUp!

 

[OldGuy43]

 

[urban escapee]

Gratz on the article, looks like they did a good job with it.

 

[jamesbwood]

Americans are supposed to be self reliant. Keep up the good fight, this is just silly. If everything not specifically allowed is not allowed, I'm sure the good council members have some unauthorized pets. . . They too could also be fined $500 for their blatant unlawfulness. . .

Or maybe this is all just silly.

In your next interview, you may also want to point out that in these days of increasing fiscal concerns, is this really an issue we want local governments to spend hundreds of man hours on?

"Council had a 2 hour meeting this morning. About hens. 4 hens. And this afternoon are calling a conference between them (I believe council and zoning), the chief and the attorney. . ."

"the chief and a state cop have been sitting in front of my house for an hour now, just sitting making a spectacle and giving my 5 kids something to keep looking out the window at. . ."

 

[jamesbwood]

Lets all write in to the newspaper.

 

[MaryLang]

The editorialist did a great job, she's a chicken enthusiast All I did was call and ask if anyone would be interested in taking this story and they jumped on it.