Council weighs process for possible code changes on backyard chickens; city attorney to provide memo

Councilmembers discussed community requests about allowing backyard chickens and asked the city attorney to outline the formal process for changing the municipal code or comprehensive plan to permit chickens in residential zones.

Councilmember Billy Costello said he had fielded questions after the last meeting and asked whether the mayor had emergency authority to enact a temporary change given rising egg prices. Costello told the council he had requested written guidance from the city attorney on whether the city can or cannot allow backyard chickens and the steps required to change code or the comp plan.

Costello said the city attorney is preparing a memo on the process for changing the city code or comp plan and promised to deliver it to the council in advance of the next meeting. Costello emphasized that the change is procedural and that staff intends to follow the legal process rather than adopt an immediate rule.

No ordinance, emergency order or temporary rule was proposed or adopted at the meeting. Council discussion included differing views about moving toward allowances for small farms or backyard chickens, but the council did not take formal action; staff said it would return with the attorney’s memo and legal options.