Thinking of going before City Council in Keizer, OR to change the code

[scomis]

I am thinking of going before City Council in Keizer, OR to try to get the code changed, allowing my family (and others, if desired) to have a few hens.

1. Are there any others in Keizer, OR that would like to have keeping chickens legal?

2. Has anyone else tried this before in Keizer?

3. Does anyone have any boilerplate documentation to print for the city councilors to review?

I am sure I will have many other questions, but this is a good start.

Thank you, Scott

 

[sundance]

check out Mother Earth News, they have an article on people raising chickens in their backyards, I read mine on the internet might give it a try www.MotherEarthnews.com good luck marrie

 

[bock to the future]

We are currently working to change the law next door in Salem. Would be happy to share information with you. What do Keizer's ordinances presently say?

 

[scomis]

Here is the text copied form the Keizer code. This is the only mention of prohibition of poultry in the code and it is buried down in the accessory building section.

2.203.02 PERMITTED RESIDENTIAL ACCESSORY STRUCTURES AND USES
D. Agricultural Uses. Gardens, orchards and crop cultivation primarily for personal
use is a permitted use accessory to a dwelling in residential zones, except that
the keeping of livestock, poultry or the sale of livestock, poultry and produce on
site are prohibited.

Above this section it allows accessory buildings for "Pets", including outdoor shelters or runs.

I gues I just need to have 2 or 3 chickens classified as pets.

Any assistance you can offer would be great. It seems that there are many others in Keizer that want chickens too. Since the Statesman Journal article recently came out incorrectly stating that chickens were allowed in Keizer, the code enforcement official has had several emails and many calls regarding this.

 

[Chicken Woman]

http://home.centurytel.net/thecitychicken/chickenlaws.html
http://www.motherearthnews.com/eggs/city-chicken-regulations.aspx
http://www.motherearthnews.com/forums/forum.aspx?boardid=1202&g=topics&f=143126 Forum on legalizing chickens

 

[FrenchHen]

Not in Keizer, but good luck!

Folks (not important folks, just regular folks) here are talking about changing the laws to allow limited numbers of small farm animals in the city because of the downturn.
I think chickens are legal though...
but I live in the county.

 

[DowntownChickens]

I am in Lebanon and would also like to know how you are going about changing the code. I have a few ins here I think, knowing the city councilmen and a few other seat holders. Maybe that is a good step too? Have lunch with a city official and explain your case....

Kaire

 

[bock to the future]

Do your homework. There is a lot of good information out there regarding the benefits of keeping chickens. Get a group together than can give informed answers to any questions the opposition may have. Generally we are finding that people are willing to listen if you are respectful and follow the accepted procedures for getting things done.

Good Luck!

 

[scomis]

UPDATE: I spoke before city council last week. I was able to provide them with my code change proposal as well as the packet provided to me by Chickens in the Yard, of Salem. The Mayor, the City Councilors and the staff were very friendly and receptive to what I was proposing. I found out yesterday that the matter had been assigned to the Assistant City Manager to research. I spoke with him this morning and was pleasantly surprised to hear that the City of Keizer is planning to put emphasis on "Sustainabilty" in the near future. He thought that the idea of backyard chickens was right in line with the sustainability idea. He is going to be researching the chicken regulations of Keizer's "peer" cities soon. He anticipated that this would officially come before city council as a matter of policy within a couple of months. I will let everyone know when this is scheduled to come before the council, so maybe others that would like to come and help support the cause will be able to.
Thanks,
Scott

 

[bock to the future]

Congratulations Scott! That sounds great! Hope they move ahead at a good pace.

We had our presentation before the Salem City Council this past week. Two council members agreed to work with us and move toward putting us on the agenda. It would be great if the two neighboring cities could get this passed this spring!