Don't they have zoning regulations that prevents "smells"? If someone is not keeping their coop up and they get enough complaints, let those irresponsible persons be cited and fined. That regulation (if present) would be a built in remedy for "smell". As said before, everywhere has predators. If they are truly concerned regarding predators, ask them if they intend on better regulating home and commercial trash storage units. Have you ever seen a raccoon scrambling away from a trash can that was not adequately secured or designed to be secured? Bobcats aren't a threat to humans. Cougars (if in your area) are one of the lower occurrence predators of chickens and no evidence suggest they seek them out when a more filling meal would be a deer. Bear (if in your area) will sooner raid trash cans than your coop. Coyotes generally have an ample supply of rabbits, rodents and cats and generally steer clear of a well built coop. Other predators are no concern to people. I am surprised they didn't mention noise. Ask them if they would sooner deprive you of a healthier more nutritious alternative for unfounded concerns of predators. Ask them if they would rather support the inhuman treatment of mass production egg farm chickens just because they don't know if chickens will smell or not. Ask them if they support the out of state or out of local area grocery stores and egg farmers or the local feed store? You will more than likely spend more money on the local economy on your own chickens than you would buy store bought eggs. You will also run a higher risk of foodborne illness all because of unfounded concerns. By having local chickens, you keep more money in your local economy and foster more community centric relations.
Good luck!
