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Council tables proposed backyard-poultry ordinance after resident concerns
Summary
The Denison City Council paused consideration of an ordinance to allow limited backyard poultry after residents raised health, nuisance and property-value concerns; the motion to table passed 3–1 and the item will return at the council’s second June meeting.
The Denison City Council on May 6 paused consideration of an ordinance to amend Chapter 55 of the city code to permit limited backyard poultry for personal use, following public comment and council debate.
Several residents raised concerns about potential nuisances and health risks, saying issues could include poultry running loose, avian flu, code violations, roosters, chickens on residential properties, impacts on property values and smell. Council members discussed possible amendments — increasing setbacks from structures, requiring neighbor consent and reducing the allowable number of hens — but emphasized more public input was needed.
A motion to table the ordinance initially failed for lack of a second. Later, a motion by Councilmember Zupp-Smith, seconded by Councilmember Logan, carried on a 3–1 roll-call vote to table the ordinance until the council’s second meeting in June. Roll call on the successful motion was recorded as Ayes: Zupp-Smith, Logan, Curnyn; Nay: Granzen.
City Manager Garcia encouraged residents to submit comments and requested the Denison Free Press list her email as a contact to receive public input on the proposed ordinance. The item will return to the council agenda in June for further consideration and possible revisions.
