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Kasson Council tables debate on chicken ordinance changes
Summary
Council members discussed allowing backyard chickens and numerical limits but, citing absent members and staff recommendation against change, voted to table the matter to a later meeting for fuller council input.
Kasson City Council discussed proposed changes to the city—s animal ordinance that would explicitly allow chickens and set a maximum number per household, but members voted to table the matter until additional members can participate.
At the meeting, a council member presented draft language and said cities such as Rochester and St. Paul allow larger flock sizes; staff advised against changing the ordinance. Council members and a resident described the practical realities of newly hatched pullets and the city—s existing prohibition on roosters. The presiding official said it would be prudent to wait until absent council members return to decide on a numeric cap. A motion to table the discussion to the next meeting was made, seconded and carried by voice vote.
Why it matters: council members framed numeric limits as a policy decision with neighborhood impacts (noise, animal welfare and enforcement), and they signaled the decision will return for a fuller council vote once more members are present.
What—s next: Council will revisit the chicken ordinance at a subsequent meeting when absent members can participate; no numeric limit was adopted and existing permissions for current keepers remain in place.
