An email message sent to all Council Members and City Officials:
Let me first say that W.A.C.K.S. is very grateful for the time and attention you have given to the topic of backyard chickens thus far. It is clear that Council and the rest of city government are taking the right path in this issue-careful study. We applaud this!
First it is greatly encouraging that all council members, no matter what their attitude or reservations on this topic, want more information. Hearing from other communities that have taken the step of legalizing backyard hens will be very helpful. Since it is obvious that Council as individuals are not familiar with chickens first hand ( live, uncooked chickens, that is) it is imperative that all members visit a backyard set up or two and see how reality compares with perception. There is a simple reason the concept of backyard chickens is increasingly popular and working out successfully. Gather info first hand and you will see it!
Glad as we are as a group that council is giving this issue attention, it is disheartening to hear the discussion that went on at the recent work session. Legislators need to legislate, and regulators need to regulate, and it is clear that Council is making far more out of a few hens than need be made. To judge by the “What If’s” heard at that meeting, it would be logical to think the topic under consideration was a backyard crematorium or a personal nuclear power plant. Chickens in a suburban environment are unfamiliar, but not as problematic as some would represent them.
From a logical, reasonable stand point, they make less noise and waste than a dog, and should have the same level of regulation (low). It is unfortunate you did not allow some of the knowledgeable people present at your meeting to offer some assistance. A Westerville police officer in attendance that night echoed the fact that dogs are more bother than chickens would be: when a council member asked rhetorically ‘how many chicken complaints have we gotten’ the officer was quick to blurt out ‘none’. When the obvious follow up came ‘how many dog complaints do we get’ that same officer was even quicker to shout ‘HUNDREDS’. The chickens already living in Westerville, though they are technically illegal, are pretty good citizens , which is more than might be said for some dogs.
Council Member French mentioned set backs, and what might be the proper distance for a set back. It is important to note that set backs are legal smoke and mirrors. Their wording can add verbiage and length to an ordinance, but they are not an effective tool for establishing and maintaining good relations with neighbors. The only way that situation comes about is through a numerical limit on flock size, AND making sure the flock is well maintained. A poorly maintained coop will smell no matter were it is placed. The only useful part of set back ordinance is assuring that coops are not placed on property lines, and is best phrased as "coops must be XXX distance from adjoining residences".
Ms. French and several others mentioned predators. Do not for one moment delude yourself that predators-coyotes, skunks, raccoons, opossums, etc are not present in Westerville. They are, and any citizen who does not secure their trash cans, who leaves pet food outside for wandering cats, or who feeds wild birds is helping to make them welcome. Chickens will not add to their presence. Chickens may draw them to a particular yard, but they are already in the neighborhood. Chickens that are properly housed, and that are feed only enough that they can clean up in a day (no left overs laying about) will not present a significant attraction for varmints. And in answer to Ms. French’s query about what the difference might be between chickens and a small dog or cat, the answer is there is no difference in the mind of a coyote, bobcat or even raccoon, These predators will take what they can get, and small dogs and kittens are eaten by them every day.
Mr. Jenkins wondered about lot size as related to set backs and how many birds would be appropriate on a given space. Lot size, like set backs, are a doge-they give the impression of control but in reality give none. To think that a certain lot size will guarantee clean and odor free conditions is a specious argument, like thinking a large home will allow a messy poorly organized person to stay tidy. It doesn’t work out in real life. Clean, odor free coops that cause no trouble with neighbors come about because the people that own them are conscientious about upkeep AND do not over load the coop with more birds than it can handle-hence the importance of flock size limits. Mr. French also spoke to permits and regulations. The idea of initial permits and multiple inspections seems highly unreasonable. This will take a great deal of time and effort and produce no real benefit. The question of how will city employees become informed about proper husbandry is also an issue (would Council consider a commission of appointed citizens, such as the Zoning board or shade tree commission?). Again , the matter of equitable treatment must be raised-a Westerville citizen who wants a Rottweiler, Great Dane or Newfoundland does not have to have multiple inspections or gain a permit, and those animals demonstrably produce more noise and manure than any small flock of chickens. ( A dog license is NOT a permit to keep a dog, it is a legal mechanism to assure that dogs have preventive medical treatment for a virulent disease, rabies).
One of the most disappointing statements made all night was when Mr. French said that he didn’t want Westerville to be cutting edge on this issue. Why not? Why can’t this city lead the way on something worthwhile? Mr. French obviously doesn’t want chickens himself and can’t conceive why others might-and he can’t see that the chickens are perched on the bigger issues of land usage and property rights. As communities grow and mature, their populations evolve and new trends come into play, considerations of land usage will be extremely important. Why shouldn’t Westerville be in the forefront of that discussion?
Mayor Coccuzzi thought the idea of chickens in a city inappropriate. She might want to speak to some of her constituents from the Greatest Generation, who remember that Victory Gardens yielded eggs and meat as well as vegetables. Chickens were a part of urban life that our grandparents would have been familiar with. The fact that chickens are “coming back” shows that good ideas cant be avoided. Her Honor the Mayor thought that people “don’t expect chickens in this kind of area“. It seems wise to point out that what we expect changes, just as the way we live “in this kind of area” changes. It was not so long ago that swimming pools and whole house air conditioning were for the rich, satellite dishes were the stuff of science fiction movies and no one would think of taking time and money to spray chemicals on their grass. Now any of these are standard suburban equipment. Things will not be as they were, that is a good thing.
Mr. Trenneff questioned if there was really enough public interest in this idea to warrant official attention. He needs reminded, strongly reminded, that Council serves the entire population of this city. Preserving the rights and privileges of all citizens, even if their number is small and their opinions and priorities do not line up with yours is the prime duty of an elected official. Mr. Treneff, just because a tax paying, vote placing Westerville citizen wants to live their life in a way you would never consider for yourself, that is no justification for you to turn your back on them officially. Besides, there seems to be prior precedent for Council acting on behalf of minorities: there must be swimming pools in fewer than 1/8 of Westerville properties, yet Council has written ordinances to protect them and the general population.
Mr. Trenneff also voiced a common rallying cry for those opposed to city chickens “ IF those people
want chickens they should move. He suggested moving to a township. It might interest him to know that the surrounding townships, far from being rural free-for-alls, have pretty strict agricultural prohibitions. What was really hurtful about his statement was that that he sounds so callous and flippant, when he basically says “If you don’t want to lead your life like I do, get out of town”. Is that really an appropriate line of reasoning for a leader of the community? Does he really want me to take my kids out of the school system, to remove my support from the organizations and community groups that we are a part of? Am I really to pull my funds out of the tax base and put my money into other communitie’s businesses and merchants? That is the message that is sent every time someone who is different is told “Get Out”.
Bottom line, given the real estate market, most people can not move, and I would say that few want to. They like this community and what it has to offer, they like the fact that their kids can walk to school, that we have a great library and park system, that the goods and services we want are close by.
Mr. Treneff’s pronouncement that chickens “ARE NOT PETS!” was arrogant and ludicrous. He may not want them, but those who have them have found chickens to be responsive, interactive companions with feelings, emotions and real personalities. Chickens keepers frequently comment that they got the birds for practical reasons-eggs or meat-and then found them to be fascinating, compelling and lovable. The fact that chickens working in the backyard are more fascinating than most television shows is a common anecdote. Any animals that a human being wants to add into their life is a pet, and chickens are far more responsive and interactive than a canary, goldfish or corn snake. Plus, they are the most practical of pets, since they provide food as well as companionship.
The Westerville Area Chicken Keepers Society wants again thank you for your continued work on this issue.
We look forward to observing Council’s future progress on this issue and want to offer every bit of support that we can. The group is eager to work WITH Council and City Government to make this proposal a reality.
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