Westerville City Council meet on Tuesday night for a work session. First on their agenda was talk about a possible chicken ordinance. Fellow W.A.C.K.S. member Jason Parsons and I were there to hear what was said.
First, we need to count ourselves lucky that Council is talking about this, and willing to put time into study of the issue. Reynoldsburg recently took up the issue, and researched it, held public comment and decided not to pursue it all in one council session. Council has back burnered a chicken ordinance until the fall, but will keep it on their radar.
First the good news: at least two council members are what I would call "yes votes" or likely to become yes votes. Jennifer French and Eric Busch had some of the usual concerns, but seem most willing to consider the idea of chickens in the city. Not surprisingly-they are the most familiar with chickens, both knowing someone who knows someone who has chickens. They are open to information, and though all Council members want to visit a small urban flock these two are most eager to do it. If you feel ready to play host, let Council Member French or Busch know!
I would say Council Member Treneff is a "NO" vote in just about any circumstances He was quick to authoritatively state that chickens could not be pets, and that those who want to keep them "ought to move to a township". He is sure chickens will bring coyotes prowling our streets, and that hens will open the door for every other sort of animal.
The three other members present-Fosselman, Cocuzzi and Jenkins I would term undecided, but leaning no, especially Jenkins. Mayor Coccuzzi expressed the idea that "people don't expect chickens in an area like this".It seemed clear that these last four council members are not kindly disposed to new and evolving ways of living in the present day. One member of council Mr. Heyeck was not at the meeting.
It is important that the meeting was a discussion, not a vote. It is also important to note that all council members, even those that are not in favor of chickens are open to getting more information. Council wants to hear from other communities to hear how legal chickens have worked out in the long term. They also want to visit a small scale urban flock.
So a few steps have been taken. There will be more to do if the issue will be brought to a conclusion we approve of!
Next steps? I think more letters, from us and from our supportive friends and neighbors, to keep the issue in council's mind. Council Member Treneff questioned if there was enough community interest to justify the City's official attention. He needs reminded that elected officials have a duty to protect the rights of the entire population. They are elected by a majority to serve the entirety. This group needs to prove there is interest in this issue, and that what we seek-legal hens-can be a useful, trouble-free part of our community.
If we are going to make this happen, we need to build some real steam for the meeting in the fall. One of us needs to put together a petition that can be used by the group to obtain signatures of supporters from the community. More phone calls and letters, to City Council, are needed and we need to keep everyone on this blog informed of when City Council will have it's next meeting so we can all attend. There is strength in numbers.
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