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Resident petitions council to allow backyard hens; council refers proposal to Planning & Zoning
Summary
Resident Stephanie Olsenoski asked the council to permit residents to keep 4–5 hens (no roosters), presenting a petition of 101 signatures (30 identified as Montrose residents). Council agreed the topic must go through Planning & Zoning and advised she build turnout for a public hearing.
A Montrose resident asked the council to consider allowing residents to keep small backyard flocks.
Stephanie Olsenoski told the council she had circulated a petition that had 101 signatures so far, "30 of which are Montrose residents," and asked the city to permit the housing of four or five hens in a coop and to prohibit roosters. Olsenoski said chicken coops yield compost for gardeners and that hens are "noisier than a dog barking" only rarely and can help control pests.
Council members made clear the city’s process requires a Planning & Zoning public hearing before any code change. Several council members and staff warned that the success of a public hearing often depends on visible turnout; council members noted the cost to the city of publishing and holding hearings and suggested Olsenoski focus on in-person turnout. The council discussed scheduling and recommended the petitioner aim for the May 14 Planning & Zoning meeting or postpone to June to allow more community outreach.
Mayor (speaker 1) said the item would be routed to Planning & Zoning and asked the petitioner to work with staff on timing and outreach. The council tabled formal action at the meeting and directed staff to coordinate the public hearing process.
Next steps: the petitioner and city staff will coordinate outreach to supporters and confirm whether the case will be scheduled for Planning & Zoning’s May 14 meeting or moved to June if more time is needed.
