Council committee schedules public hearing on proposed backyard-chicken ordinance after crowded debate

Planning Committee Chair Mister Davidis said the committee placed Ordinance 2025-O6A — an amendment to section 157.0862 governing agricultural uses and animal husbandry — on the record and scheduled a public hearing for Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at 7 p.m. The committee will not vote on the ordinance until a later meeting per council rules.

Sponsor Mister Spate summarized the draft: it lowers the minimum lot size from the current 2 acres to 20,000 square feet (about 0.45 acres) and would allow a resident to keep up to six hens; roosters would be prohibited on properties smaller than 5 acres. The draft includes 20-foot setback requirements and an added amendment requiring a 100-foot separation from an adjacent dwelling. The ordinance also would bar chicken rearing in residential developments governed by homeowners’ associations unless the lot is 2 acres or larger.

Council member Mrs. Babbitt raised practical concerns about public attendance at the scheduled hearing because of a nearby track meet; the committee concluded the event would likely be over by the hearing date. Babbitt also asked whether reducing acreage would require more city staff time to administer permits and respond to complaints.

City staff member Mr. Weavey said the three existing code inspectors could issue permits and handle violations but warned that sanitary and odor complaints are inherently subjective and would increase inspectors’ judgment calls and workload. "They do that on a daily basis... but it will add to their workload," Weavey said, according to committee remarks.

Mr. Davidis emphasized that the public hearing will allow residents to comment and that the committee expects more detailed discussion after the hearing. The ordinance remains on second reading; the committee did not take a final vote.