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ESCANABA -- The Escanaba City Council will take up the issue of allowing chickens in the city at its meeting Thursday night. The agenda includes the first reading of an ordinance to allow chickens and ducks within the city. The council is being asked to set Thursday, Dec. 21 as the second reading of the ordinance, public hearing and adoption.
The proposal of allowing chickens and ducks in the city first can to light several weeks ago at the Escanaba Planning Commission. Residents spoke out both for and against the proposal. Others sent letters to the commission about their views.
The planning commission submitted recommendations to the council that the animals could be controlled through permits, licensing, and enforcement.
Suggestions include;
– A person must get a zoning permit from the Planning and Zoning Department. This covers only the enclosure and ensures the safety and environmental health of the animals. In some cases, this will require the planning commission's approval, and in all cases, animals must be kept in a safe enclosure.
– The person must get a license from the clerk's office, which is good for one year. Licenses only ensure that a person may keep the animals, and that they have an enclosure which has indeed been granted a zoning permit. Each license can be renewed on an annual basis. This will be a new procedure.
– The person must not cause any public nuisances or commit any zoning violations due to the animals. This activity would be managed through code enforcement. If a person does cause a nuisance or violate the zoning code, their license cannot be renewed, and the person will not be able to keep the animals anymore.
The draft also sets guidelines for health, safety and sanitation, and for enclosures. Roosters will not be allowed, nor will commercial slaughter or egg sales from home flocks be allowed. Total number of chickens and ducks allowed per enclosure is limited at six each.
Other items on council's agenda include:
– Approval of 2024 city council meeting dates
– Approval to apply for funding for cybersecurity assessments and incident response planning and training activities.
– Approval to purchase a forestry truck for the Public Works Department.
– Approval of a resolution approving a METRO Act application for Highline Internet.
THe council will meet Thursday, Dec. 7 at 7 p.m. in council chambers at Escanaba City Hall.