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Resident urges Montrose to allow backyard chickens; council cites enforcement, turnout concerns
Summary
Resident Ashford Hellcamp urged the City of Montrose to adopt a backyard-chicken ordinance, citing local examples and benefits. Council members expressed support but said repeated low proponent turnout and enforcement capacity have blocked past approvals.
Resident Ashford Hellcamp urged the Montrose City Council to permit backyard chickens, presenting Minneapolis-style ordinance language and describing benefits including education for children, pest control and homegrown eggs. "I grew up on a farm... Chickens are a really approachable way for American households to feel more involved with their food," Hellcamp said. She offered to help with inspections and volunteer as a community contact.
Council members said they are not uniformly opposed but described procedural and enforcement hurdles that have derailed prior attempts. Council member Sam Solarz said the key obstacle has been the lack of supporters showing up at public hearings: "When we're holding a public hearing, nobody comes here and says, 'yeah, I want chickens.'" Several members raised concerns about enforcement and neighbor complaints, and staff noted planning and zoning reviews must be satisfied before any ordinance could advance. The council did not take action and encouraged proponents to organize, bring signatures, and work with planning and zoning before returning with a formal proposal.
