No game of chicken for AH commissioners

Chickens, and other forms of poultry, may be coming to roost in Airway Heights.

A change to the city’s “Livestock, Poultry and Exotic Animals” code chapter got a review at the April 13 Planning Commission meeting, although the commission itself has little to do with the revised zoning regulations’ passage. Development Services Director Derrick Braaten told the three commissioners present the changes fell under the review of the Police Department, but was being brought to the commission’s attention due to the impacts approval could carry.

“This is the version that public safety (committee) would like to see go forward,” Braaten said.

The only change to the existing ordinance breaks out poultry from a prohibited to an allowed use. Besides chickens, poultry also includes ducks, geese, pigeons, turkeys and “like poultry.”

The new regulations require those wishing to keep poultry to have more than 6,000 square feet of property, allow no more than four female roosters or laying-hens at any one time and prohibit the keeping of peacocks, emus, ostriches and guinea hens as well as male chickens — a.k.a. the sunrise-announcing rooster.

People keeping poultry must keep their property clean and provide appropriate housing. That housing must be setback from the rear and side property lines by a minimum of 15 feet, and not located closer than 25 feet from the front yard.

Braaten said the regulations are geared towards residential areas, and are the city’s attempt to prevent issues with cleanliness and noise from changing the community’s character.

“Urban farming is in,” he said, adding the city is trying to address the “it’s my land and I should be able to do what I want mentality” through allowing the use but with restrictions.

Commissioner Matt Pederson said the issue has come up numerous times in the past, and it’s always brought forward by a small group of individuals. Pederson said he felt the urban farming was more of a current fad, but one that could be practiced responsibly.

“If you do what you’re supposed to do, it should not be an issue,” he said.

Pederson said he is a strong proponent of individual property rights as well as the importance of buying locally grown items such as eggs, milk and vegetables. But while he said his wife would like to raise chickens, he wouldn’t himself out of consideration for his neighbors.

“You choose to live in an urban environment for a certain lifestyle not afforded in a rural setting,” Pederson said, adding the regulations could open a Pandora’s box of other issues.

Commissioner Sonny Weathers said most of the problems would likely come from individuals who ignore city regulations regarding poultry. Those who wish to engage in the practice properly are the ones who brought the proposals forward.

“Meeting their needs is pretty easy,” he said. “And I probably won’t have chickens myself, but I won’t turn down a neighbor who wants to offer me fresh eggs.”

Braaten said the City Council would be the legislative body hearing the issue, and he was going to push for at least two public meetings before final consideration. He added that besides the public safety committee, the Police Department and the code enforcement officer had also reviewed the new regulations and signed off on them.

“They’re not going to be running around arresting chickens,” Braaten added. “Or, they’ll pick up a stray dog, but they won’t pick up a stray chicken.”

John McCallum can be reached at [email protected].