As paper copies of the petition are being distributed, I updated the information to reflect support of the entire process and desire to have chickens in both urban and rural settings. If you disagree, I believe you can remove your name. Keep in mind that, if allowed by the by-law, only a limited number of hens would be permitted in all likelihood. Probably no roosters crowing in the larger urban settings. Rural residential areas might be given more flexibility.
The paper petition includes the following information. I will post the Motion below it as well. Thanks for your support!
Mayor and Council Members of the Municipality of Chatham-Kent:
We, the undersigned residents of the Municipality of Chatham-Kent, request that you support the Motion by Councillor Antony Ceccacci regarding chickens in residential areas, dated January 16, 2023. We have read the Motion.
We support allowing urban residents to raise chickens for personal use with reasonable limitations on numbers of chickens and other parameters such as locations of coops to be determined through consultation with stakeholders.
We support allowing rural residents to raise chickens with broader purposes and parameters, depending on their setting to be determined through consultation with stakeholders.
We note that any petition received may be publicly available by the council unless we specifically advise otherwise.
This is the motion:
Re: Chickens in residential areas
“Whereas the Municipality’s Responsible Animal Ownership By-law permits chickens on premises zoned agricultural under the Municipality’s zoning by-law permitting such use; And Whereas there is interest from the public requesting that chickens be permitted on urban and rural residential areas; Be it resolved that:
- Administration conduct a C-K Let’s Talk survey to obtain feedback and comments on permitting backyard chickens in urban residential areas and rural residential areas; and
- An information report with the results of the survey and information on what surrounding municipalities are doing regarding chickens in urban areas be reported back to Council by May of 2023. Further, that the report Include consultation with public health for additional feedback and recommendations.”
Signed: Councillor Anthony Ceccacci
Notice Given On: January 16, 2023