Alpena resident urges looser hen limits, promotes victory gardens and warns about costly infrastructure projects

Daniel Grammer, an Alpena resident and self‑identified urban farmer, urged the City Council Oct. 6 to support home food production, contesting the city’s six‑hen limit and urging a yard‑size approach to backyard poultry rules.

“I hate lawns. I’m not a British lord. I like to eat food,” Grammer said, describing his preference for edible landscaping; he said his dandelions and plantains are part of his food supply. Grammer said the six‑hen limit in the city code feels “arbitrary” and suggested a standard tied to yard size and the owner’s ability to care for the flock. “Some people may be able to take care of 12 chickens and then excess of what they need and give them to their neighbors,” he said, calling small‑scale poultry keeping a potential community‑building practice.

Grammer also expressed concern about the timing and scale of major infrastructure projects. Drawing on his experience as a longtime contractor, he urged the city to prioritize projects based on demonstrated need and fiscal capacity instead of undertaking large, ongoing developments funded by municipal bonds. “If you’re gonna develop for a future Alpena, you don’t do it when everybody’s bankrupt,” Grammer said. He warned that heavy borrowing followed by economic strain could force higher property taxes; in the meeting transcript he described that outcome as unconstitutional in some states, which is presented here as his comment rather than a legal finding.

Grammer identified himself as speaking as a resident rather than in any official capacity. No council action on zoning or poultry limits was taken during the meeting; his remarks were recorded during the public comment period.