Preparing for the Town Council: Smell complaints?

[justcallmeang]

So, I made a post a while back about attempting to change the ordinance that removed the ability to have chickens back in 2010 in Munster, IN. This is a very small town and is quite, um... "uppity". I just spoke to a man from the town and he really didn't give me a lot of hope. Here's what he said:

The reason why the ordinance was made was:

1) the smell. He went on an on and on about this... said that if the wind blew in the right direction that the neighborhood would be affected by the coops that weren't kept up

2) they had roosters (I said, well you can tell people they can't)

3) the town wants to "progress" and allowing people to have chickens would be sort of going backwards, would it not?

4) It's all about the quality of life for the town residents and the people who had chickens affected the quality of life of those around them

Ok... so, give all of that, do you have advice/suggestions about how to refute these things or argue my point? Like I said, he mentioned the smell thing over and over again.

 

[21hens-incharge]

So, I made a post a while back about attempting to change the ordinance that removed the ability to have chickens back in 2010 in Munster, IN. This is a very small town and is quite, um... "uppity". I just spoke to a man from the town and he really didn't give me a lot of hope. Here's what he said:

The reason why the ordinance was made was:

1) the smell. He went on an on and on about this... said that if the wind blew in the right direction that the neighborhood would be affected by the coops that weren't kept up
I am in town where I live and have 29 chickens in my backyard. If the coops are cleaned at least once a month they do not smell at all. Dogs smell far worse. (I have dogs too)

2) they had roosters (I said, well you can tell people they can't)
I agree they can ban roosters. My town bans them.

3) the town wants to "progress" and allowing people to have chickens would be sort of going backwards, would it not?
Is it not progressive to allow people to have some control over the quality of food they eat?
Is it not progressive that people want to be more connected with how the animals are treated that are producing the food be it eggs or milk?

4) It's all about the quality of life for the town residents and the people who had chickens affected the quality of life of those around them
Have people get signed approval petitions from the people 3 houses on each side north, south, east and west. Barking dogs are far louder as are parties that people throw and kids running around screaming. Besides chickens go to bed at dark and get up at light so are only making noise during the day if at all.

Ok... so, give all of that, do you have advice/suggestions about how to refute these things or argue my point? Like I said, he mentioned the smell thing over and over again.

If they want to go on about coops and what they look like and such present them with the option to limit the structure type and size. They do need to be reasonable as chickens cannot live comfortably in tiny houses. Perhaps max size as 32 sq feet so a 4x8 or a 6x6. Coop size would limit how many chickens one could have to about 6. I think that is reasonable. That would also limit the noise and the smell quite effectively.
Then there is the ever popular "Well what about when they stop laying. WE don't want people butchering them in town!" Have a plan ready to present like taking them to have them processed or the name of a vet that could and would put them down humanely.

Those are my thoughts on the points you posted and more. I hope it helps.