Richmond council allows six hens at Ferguson Street home, adopts RV parking rules and approves park, festival and community requests

The Richmond City Council on March 17 approved a request to keep up to six egg‑laying hens at 69856 Ferguson Street, adopted an amendment to residential parking standards in the Richmond Zoning Ordinance, and approved several park and community event requests including replacement toddler play equipment and a festival fence.

Why it matters: The council’s actions change how some residents may store recreational vehicles and boats in front yards and right-of-way areas, allow one household to keep backyard hens under conditions, and authorize city expenditures and permits that affect Beebe Street Park, downtown banners and neighborhood events.

Council approved the Dowling family’s petition to keep hens after staff said notices were mailed to seven surrounding properties and the city had received two letters during the notice period—one in favor and one opposed. Caleb Dowling, who identified himself as living at 69856 Ferguson Street, told the council they had already acquired chickens and sought formal permission. “We did end up getting some chickens,” Dowling said, noting they had discussed the plan with an adjacent neighbor who was supportive.

The council’s motion approving the request included conditions that the birds be hens only (no roosters) and that council review the permit after one year if complaints arise. A council member stated they could not support the motion because a neighbor objected; the motion passed with one nay and the remainder in favor.

On zoning, the council gave second reading and adopted Ordinance 156-34, amending section 9.04 (residential parking standards) of the Richmond Zoning Ordinance. City staff summarized the change as clarifying allowable locations and durations for parking recreational vehicles and trailers in front-yard areas and street rights of way, and formalizing short-term loading/unloading windows (48 hours before and after a trip for trailers; boats allowed 24 hours before and after, with a maximum of 48 hours in a given week). Staff also explained that trailers may not be stored in a driveway if they would block the sidewalk.

The council approved replacement toddler play equipment at Beebe Street (the low bid was $6,955 from Playground Boss). Staff said the new slide will ship in about 10 weeks and the swing components were in stock. Councilors noted the playground equipment currently in the park appeared original and long‑worn.

Other permits and appointments approved included allowing the Richmond area pastors to hold a National Day of Prayer observance on May 1 (coordinated by Pastor Wise of Grace Community Church), use of banner arms for senior recognition banners from May 1 through June 13 (requested by the senior parent committee), installation of a six‑foot black vinyl‑coated fence at the festival portion of Beebe Street Park at the expense of the Good Old Days Festival organizers, and permission for the Richmond Knights of Columbus to conduct their annual “Tootsie Roll” sale April 11–12 with agreed time/placement restrictions and a signed liability waiver.

The council reappointed Susan Kiel and Dr. David Varga to two‑year terms on the Recreation Board and appointed Mayor Tim Ricks as the council’s ex officio representative to the board. The meeting concluded with a roll‑call vote to go into a closed session under Section 8(c) of Michigan’s Open Meetings Act for collective‑bargaining strategy and negotiations.

Votes at a glance: - Special request — 69856 Ferguson Street (backyard chickens): Approved; conditions: hens only, one‑year review if complaints; vote tally: 6 yes, 1 no. - Ordinance 156‑34, zoning text amendment (sec. 9.04 residential parking standards): Adopted on second reading; vote tally: unanimous (7 yes stated at roll call). - National Day of Prayer proclamation (May 1, 2025): Authorized; vote tally: unanimous. - Senior banners (use of banner arms May 1–June 13): Approved; vote tally: unanimous. Conditions: project graduation committee to furnish zip ties, no guaranteed placement of specific poles. - Playground equipment purchase (Beebe Street Memorial Park): Approved; vendor Playground Boss; amount $6,955; vote tally: unanimous. - Recreation Board reappointments (Susan Kiel; Dr. David Varga): Approved; two‑year terms through 03/31/2027; vote tally: unanimous. - Council ex officio appointment (Mayor Tim Ricks to Recreation Board): Approved; expiration 03/31/2026; vote tally: unanimous. - Good Old Days Festival fence (6 ft vinyl fence at Beebe Street Park): Approved; funded by festival organizers; vote tally: unanimous. - Richmond Knights of Columbus Tootsie Roll Sale (April 11–12): Approved with location/time conditions and signed liability waiver; vote tally: unanimous. - Motion to convene closed session under MCL 15.268(8)(c) for collective bargaining strategy: Approved by roll call (all present voted yes).

Discussion and clarifications: staff advised the council the property at 69856 Ferguson Street is approximately 0.25 acres with about 84.5 feet of frontage; the staff background noted distances from the proposed coop to the nearest adjacent structures as roughly "55 [to] 53 feet to the detached garage and about 80 feet to the house," while a councilor referenced a letter stating 169 feet to the nearest house. The record shows both figures were in the meeting materials and in council discussion.

Staff also noted the playground slide will take about 10 weeks to arrive after order and that the $6,955 quote is higher than last year’s budget proposal because costs rose since the initial estimates. The senior banners were approved for display from Division Road south to the railroad tracks with DPW assistance for installation and a parent committee responsible for banner removal and coordination.

What’s next: Council will reexamine the Dowling backyard‑hen permission after one year if complaints arise and will implement the updated parking standards as part of the zoning code. Several community events and park improvements approved at the meeting move forward subject to the stated conditions and vendor lead times.