Green City Council holds public hearing on proposed backyard-chicken amendment; no vote tonight

Councilman Davidis opened a public hearing Tuesday on ordinance 2025-2006A, a proposed amendment to the City of Green's codified ordinances governing agricultural uses, animal husbandry and keeping of livestock that would reduce the minimum lot size for keeping backyard hens and set new permit and care requirements.

The proposal, presented by Councilman Justin Spate and co-sponsor Councilwoman Babbitt, would lower the current 2-acre minimum to 20,000 square feet (about 0.45 acres) for limited chicken ownership and set rules for numbers of hens, setbacks and inspections. "Our proposal would take that down to 20,000 square feet, which is 0.045 acres. Oh, I'm sorry. 0.45 acres," Councilman Justin Spate said while outlining the plan.

Supporters told council the change would improve access to fresh food and community resilience, and advocates stressed rules and permits would limit nuisance problems. "Farm fresh eggs are 1 of nature's few superfoods," resident Christina Gardner told the council, noting her petition in favor of the amendment and saying permits and education would help ensure responsible ownership. "Permits would allow for better regulation, should the city choose to require them."

Opponents, including representatives of homeowners associations, warned the reduced lot size would increase neighbor conflicts and enforcement burdens. Kevin Grama, vice president of the Spring Hill HOA, asked council to keep the 2-acre minimum: "We're a growing city at 20,000 plus residents. We're the sixth largest city, in Summit County. We're no longer a rural community. Who cares what other communities are doing? What's best for Green residents?" Robert Charles, an HOA officer in Meadowood, argued smaller minimums would thrust disputes onto HOAs and city enforcement: "To reduce the size of the parcel…