Resident urges the city to allow backyard chickens; staff notes past reviews and enforcement concerns

At the public-participation portion of the April 24 meeting, Nick Felty of Forest Avenue asked the Board of Commissioners to review the city ordinance that prohibits backyard chickens within Ashland. Felty outlined benefits he associated with chicken keeping: egg production, insect control, food-waste diversion and small spatial needs. He proposed modest regulations — no roosters, limits on flock size, minimum coop setback distances, rodent‑proof feed storage and a nominal permitting fee.

Assistant City Attorney (speaking for staff) replied that the question had been reviewed previously after similar public requests. He said the Planning Commission and code-enforcement staff had studied proposals and had recommended not to amend the ordinance at that time. Key reasons cited in prior reviews included enforcement challenges — who would inspect and enforce coop standards — personnel costs for enforcement, and public-health concerns raised by the local health department. Staff said the procedural route to seek change would be a text amendment that begins at the Planning Commission with a public hearing.

Commissioners asked the resident to work with staff if he wanted the change pursued; staff offered to provide records of the prior review and the Planning Commission's earlier recommendation. No ordinance change or motion was made during the meeting.