Wayland’s City Council is still doing the chicken dance around an ordinance allowing backyard poultry.
While the draft of a chicken ordinance was on the agenda Monday, Oct. 2, it turned into a discussion only item until many unanswered questions could be addressed before its adoption.
The ordinance will not allow roosters, slaughtering in city limits or the selling or distributing of eggs—with eggs meant for personal consumption only—and that led to questions on how and who will enforce regulations and how to file complaints.
Councilman Rick Mathis said most people he’s talked with support allowing chickens in the city but the few (3) that were opposed to it questioned rules for how far away coops and waste compost would be from property lines, who would confiscate the animals if permits were revoked and what the process was for permits.
Mayor pro-tem Jennifer Antel said the ordinance includes adopting Generally Accepted Agricultural and Management Practices that would outline most issues; however she questioned keeping chickens in an enclosed area, saying a fence was better for the chickens.
Mathis questioned what kind of fence would be allowed.
“One concern is having only a split rail fence which would allow chickens to go into neighbors’ yards, and the killing of chickens in neighborhoods.
Councilman Tim Rose said people could eat the chickens; they just can’t slaughter them in city limits and would have to have the chicken taken to a professional processor.
On his first official day as interim city manager, Larry Nielsen said at his former position in Paw Paw, no farm animals were allowed within residential districts.
“You’ll have to decide what to do with eggs because you don’t want signs selling them from homes or in neighborhoods and you’ll want chicken wire on top of the coop not only to keep chickens in, but cats from jumping the fence to get the chickens,” he said. “You should have this all thought out before taking any permits and something to give to homeowners so they understand these thing—the less thought-out the more problems you’ll have.”
Nielsen added that most chicken ordinances allow 25 feet from side yards to avoid tempting neighborhood dogs and ending up with barking complaints.
He said he would work on answering all the questions the council had to continue with the ordinance.
“There’s so many great and positive things going in town,” he said.
After visiting with all the city departments and seeing the amenities and infrastructure the city has to offer, Nielsen said the city’s staff is talented and has a passion for their community—which is often taken for granted.
“Many only see the little bumps—like the chicken ordinance,” he said.
Virginia Ransbottom can be contacted at (269) 673-5534.
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