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Council hears mixed public testimony on proposed backyard-hens ordinance (Bill 25-178)
Summary
Councilwoman Burns introduced Bill 25-178 to allow backyard hens (roosters prohibited, up to six hens per property) and work with citizens and administration; public commenters both supported and opposed the proposal, raising enforcement and food-security arguments.
Councilwoman Burns presented Bill 25-178, an ordinance adding section 505.19 to Chapter 505 (animals and fowl) to permit backyard hens within Mansfield city limits under defined conditions. The proposal would prohibit roosters, cap hen ownership at six per property, require registration and set coop standards (lighting restrictions and muted colors were noted for storage-type uses earlier in discussion of similar topics).
Burns thanked the citizen group that worked with the administration and said the ordinance is the product of community input; the council agreed to consider the ordinance over three reads to hear additional feedback. Administration said it had planned for inspections and noted recent staff increases in the codes department.
Public comment was mixed. Supporters included Greg Mead, who described years of experience raising flocks and argued small, regulated flocks control pests and promote food security. Kelsey Cunning presented a petition of 561 signatures (77 from within city limits) and said hen keeping builds community and fights food insecurity. Nine-year-old Annalise Cunning and a friend described educational and nutritional benefits of backyard hens.
Opponents raised enforcement concerns. Ed Swope and Tammy McQuillan told council that existing code problems (illegal dumping, grass/leaves in streets, abandoned vehicles and over-capacity animal shelters) show the city lacks the enforcement bandwidth to handle a new animal-keeping program; McQuillan suggested easing acreage rules to 2 acres or piloting community coops in city-run sites as a compromise.
Administration noted recent changes intended to strengthen enforcement: the city has added inspectors and promoted a code enforcement supervisor (Jason Ramirez), which staff say will help manage inspections if the ordinance is adopted. Councilmembers repeatedly praised the collaborative process and said they intended three readings to gather broader community feedback before final action.
Next steps: Bill 25-178 was introduced and scheduled for further readings; council did not take a final vote on the ordinance during this meeting.
