Council declines rezoning request tied to expanded hobby chickens; directs staff to study per‑acre limits

Albert and Jennifer Taylor asked the council to rezone an adjacent lot to agriculture so they could legally keep additional chickens and ducks. The Taylors said the birds help control ticks on their property, provide eggs for family and neighbors and were kept under the belief their parcel was agricultural when purchased.

Staff and the Planning Commission recommended against rezoning to agriculture because agricultural zoning in a residential area can enable a broader set of uses (larger livestock, multiple structures) beyond the owner’s present intent; the Planning Commission therefore recommended denial. The Taylors also requested a lot combination; staff said combining the lot with the house lot could address the immediate issue without rezoning.

Council members and several nearby neighbors spoke. Neighbors expressed concerns about potential livestock intensification, wildlife attraction and the general character of a residential neighborhood if lots near existing housing were rezoned to agriculture. Speakers urged caution and suggested any change should be citywide and not grant a zoning exception that could remain with the property if sold.

Council asked staff to return with options, including an acreage‑based formula (for example, Oklahoma City’s six chickens per acre model), OSU recommendations and language that would allow expanded hobby poultry without rezoning residential lots to agriculture. The council continued the rezoning/lot‑combination agenda item to a future meeting to give staff time to prepare a recommended ordinance amendment or alternatives.