Adam Barker of 1250 Cliff Road told the Sustainable Eagan Advisory Commission on Oct. 14 that raising chickens is a sustainability practice his family relies on and that the current city code limiting residential chicken ownership to five birds constrains larger-lot households.

Barker, who said his family moved to Eagan from the Chicago area in 2024 and lives on roughly 2.5 acres, asked the commission to support a change to city code to allow an increased number of chickens for residents on larger lots, subject to standard nuisance and lot-line safeguards. He said the proposal would align with the Climate Action Plan’s goals on local food, waste reduction and community resiliency and suggested a commission statement plus a community petition to gain council attention.

Staff acknowledged Barker’s remarks; Barker said he had already discussed the idea with staff member Jillian and that the city council’s initial response was not immediately receptive. Barker said he would be available after the meeting to speak with commissioners interested in partnering on the idea. The commission did not take formal action during the meeting.