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Chicken bill goes to City Council

Havre City Council will soon take up the issue of whether people should be allowed to keep chickens in their yards.

The council’s Ordinance Committee voted Monday night to send to the council the proposed ordinance members have been working on for several weeks. Like earlier meetings, supporters and opponents spoke before the committee.

Committee Chair Andrew Brekke said he expected council would take the matter up at its meeting April 6. A public hearing might then be held during the third week of April and the council could vote that night.

He said from his discussions with other council members, “council is not entirely sold on this yet.”

But if all goes well, he said, the law could take effect June 1 or July 1 at the latest.

Under the final proposal, a family living in a single-family home could own up to six chickens if neighbors agree.

One Havre resident, Ira Hall, expressed concern over the idea, fearing the chickens and their droppings could attract raccoons, skunks and vermin.

Brekke pointed out some of the ordinance provisions aimed at preventing those problems.

Hall said that eased some of his concerns, but quickly added. “I’m still not sold on this,” he said.

”You are in the majority,” Brekke said. “You may still get a no vote out of me.”

Others were fearful that the ordinance would open up a “can of worms,” by allowing people to have other kinds of livestock, Brekke assured them this ordinance would not allow other kinds of livestock.

Council member Allen “Woody” Woodwick joined Brekke in voting to send the measure to council. Council Member Janet Trethewey was absent but Brekke said he talked to her and she was in support of the ordinance.

Here is the proposed chicken ordinance at a glance:

• Up to six chickens will be allowed at single-family homes, but not in apartment buildings. No roosters allowed.

• Neighbors on all sides have to sign off on the application.

• Chickens must be kept in a predatory-proof coop eight feet high or less.

• Coops must be 100 square feet or less. Enclosures of 100 feet or more must get a building permit from the city’s Department of Public Works.

• Chicken enclosures must be 20 feet away from the property line. They must be kept in the backyard. This means that in some parts of the city with narrow lots, chickens are in effect prohibited.

• Chickens who leave the property can be impounded by the animal control officer or city police.

• Chickens cannot be slaughtered in public view.

 

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