Progress in Spokane Valley, WA!!

[mrsbos]

Yea!

I was at a well attended Spokane Valley Planning Commission meeting this past Thursday. Plenty of pro-chicken people showed up to speak. Currently in the city of Spokane Valley, "backyard" chickens are only allowed on residential parcels of 1 acre or more. After the meeting, the planning commission is going to recommend to the Spokane Valley City Council to amend the regulations to allow up to 25 hens (no roosters) on lots less than one acre, allowing 1 chicken per 2000sq ft, and that housing structures be located at least 25 ft from neighboring structures (not property lines).

Of course the City Council will still have to vote to approve the amendment, but it seems to have a lot of positive momentum!

 

[nivtup]

Woo Hoo

On the way to a chicken in every backyard

 

[Junkmanme]

I don't see the point of locating the Coop at least 25 feet away from other structures.

That makes no sense to me.

(I served 6 years on a VERY BUSY "Planning Commission". 2 years as Chairman.)

What's "the point" of THAT recommendation? It has NOTHING to do with "property lines" so I don't comprehend their thinking on this requirement.

-Junkmanme-

 

[mrsbos]

I didn't quite understand the 25 foot rule either. I'm assuming neighboring structures would be like my neighbor's house....not my own house. But I can see how a non-chicken-friendly neighbor would not want a coop right up on the property line---even if his house was located much farther away.

 

[Junkmanme]

My thinking is:

IF the Neighbor wouldn't WANT the coop up closer than 25 feet from the "property line".....then THAT neighbor should ADD another 25 feet to HIS property. He should NOT be able to control the use of YOUR PROPERTY. He should "reach into his own pocket" to fulfill HIS desires.

(But the "recommendation"...as you say...does not even "speak" to this. )
It is a recommendation that, to me, makes no sense whatsoever.

-Junkmanme-

 

[Junkmanme]

Quote:
On reflection....

It is possible that what that "Planning Commission" had in mind is this:

You can put your coop at your property line....as long as it is 25 feet away from your neighbor's house. (this would consider the 25 feet to be on your neighbor's property.) And...if the City has a 25 foot "side-set-back" for housing structures....then the 25 foot recommendation is already there.....and the "recommendation" is a "moot point".

This could be their thinking.......but it seems "pointless" if the side-setback is already a requirement.

---They say that the Camel is a horse "designed by a Committee".---

(a likely possibility.)

Ha-Ha !!!

-Junkmanme-

 

[Moabite]

I don't see the point of locating the Coop at least 25 feet away from other structures.

That makes no sense to me.

(I served 6 years on a VERY BUSY "Planning Commission". 2 years as Chairman.)

What's "the point" of THAT recommendation? It has NOTHING to do with "property lines" so I don't comprehend their thinking on this requirement.

-Junkmanme-

I found this in my local code here in Moab.

17.52.040 Standards for containment.
Hens shall be securely fenced and confined to the property of the owner with the use of coops and yards, and not allowed to run at large;
A. Enclosures and coops shall be located at least fifteen feet from neighboring residences, kept clean and with no odors emanating across property lines;
B. Chicken yards shall provide a minimum outside area of ten square feet per hen;
C. Coop areas shall provide a minimum of four square feet of habitable area per laying hen.
(Ord. 09-01 (part), 2009)

17.52.050 Standards for maintenance.
A. Removal of Dead Birds.
1. The owner of any fowl that dies within city limits shall remove the carcass of such animal from city limits within ten hours after its death.
B. No coop cleanings shall be stockpiled within twenty feet of any dwelling or any property line unless stored in a closed bin covered to prevent pest and insect infestation or kept in a properly maintained compost pile.
C. No coop shall be kept in an unsanitary or improperly ventilated condition by any coop owner, lessee or occupant of a property.
D. Diseased or sick birds shall be handled in such a manner as to not infect other members of the coop.
(Ord. 09-01 (part), 2009)

It is also illegal to smoke tobacco within 25 ft of a entrance to a public building. Wander if for the same reason?​

 

[Junkmanme]

Moabite,

That seems a reasonable code.

It merely reflects "Common Sense" and general "courtesy".

-Junkmanme-