What do you think the next move should be in Vacaville regarding backyard chickens?

[alicia2364]

I went to the city council meeting a felt rather dismissed by e lack of sympathy for those of us that thought we were following the law before deciding to raise chickens. I know I did. I did my research and even called animal control and was told I could have three. THe city council did agree that there were conflicts in the law and they too were confused. SInce they decided not to deal with it and just pick the laws that worked for them while ignoring the conflicting law was just plain wrong. If they had said until the conflict is resolved that current chicken owners have a temporary waiver but there can be no new chicken owners for now I would have understood, but to say I have to get rid of my chickens (which the female council member sitting on the left side made sure to clarify) without a fair hearing on the issue is very wrong on soooooo many levels which goes beyond chickens. How many other issues are they going to ignore and cause to the people because of finances. I want your thoughts. What should the next move be? What should the plan of action consist of. Protest? Rally? Lawyer ? (pro bono). What are our rights because of the conflict in the law? DO we even have any?

 

[alicia2364]

I Found this website www.salemchickens.com which is an organiztion which teaches people how to change the laws to keep backyard chickens. Check it out and let me know what you think.

 

[MsLisaG]

I honestly don't know what the next move should be. I can't think of anything that would be effective besides maybe suing the city if someone were to be cited, and even that might be rough going. I have no legal background, maybe someone that does could chime in?

 

[traildad]

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[MsLisaG]

Honestly, I think that continuing to approach the city about it at this point is the wrong thing to do. I think, especially in the case of Harris and Hunt, that they have "spoken" on the subject and that continuing to come to them about it will only make them mad. As it is, it is still very difficult for animal control to make anyone get rid of chickens - during the 10 min. break after discussing the chickens, I heard the animal control officer telling a woman that his hands are still relatively tied on the subject. This is of course just my opinion, and I'm in NO way telling anyone what to do, but I think that outside of filing an official request for a change of ordinance (that would force them to do the research on the subject,) or acting after consulting a lawyer, hounding them further on the subject is only going to hurt our cause.

 

[traildad]

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[MsLisaG]

First, I suggested suing the city only in the case that someone were to get a citation. I don't actually know if that is even a legally sound way to go... Someone would have to consult a lawyer. I do know that proactively suing won't work. It would be very hard to find a lawyer that would sue the city for pain and suffering, as not allowing chickens on less than one acre lots does not meet the legal definition.

Second, you are correct, I not once told you what to do.

It is simply my opinion, especially in the case of Harris's nasty attitude, that anything short of filing an official request for change of ordinance will not get us anywhere.

 

[MsLisaG]

If/when you do speak to the director and if she gives you her interpretation of the code, I am interested to hear what it is. I fear that she will side with what was said at the meeting.

 

[traildad]

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[MsLisaG]

Trust me, I have read all of the codes, at length, over and over. There is a stack of printed out codes, highlighted, on my desk right now. I have also read the table summarizing permitted accessory uses and while raising chickens, rabbits, and other small animals is listed as allowed in rural, estates (with the 1 acre restriction,) low, and low medium zones is listed as permitted, there is a footnote specifying on one acre lots only. I do agree that the one specific bullet point you mentioned doesn't fit, but I still fear that out of political motivation or otherwise, the director (I believe her name is Maureen) will side with what was said at the meeting. I don't like it and I don't think it's fair, but I fear that she will.

Even if she does interpret it to truly mean we can't have fowl on less than one acre, they voted NOT to open the code to any research or changes, so that's in our favor. (by favor, I mean that a call about chickens is really low priority at the moment and might very well not be investigated.)