Bylaw Hearing Today. We've made progress, but more changes needed.

Thanks to everyone who signed the petition. We were successful in saving 100s of properties from being restricted to 5 chickens. Areas in town that were restricted to 5 chickens can now keep 10, and roosters no longer require a development agreement.

There are still changes we'd like to see:

• Growing crops for sale at any scale is still prohibited in most residential areas. Vegetables, honey, fruit, plants.
• Selling agricultural products is prohibited in residential areas.
• Setbacks for animal keeping are prohibitive and not in line with agricultural science or standards. So even if you are zoned for livestock you may not be able to keep them because of restrictive setbacks.
• There is still only one zone that you keep more than 1 animal unit per acre. And one zone that you can go through a development agreement process with planning and council.
• More than one animal unit is considered an 'Intensive Livestock Operation' the same as a factory farm. We'd like to see a classification for homesteading and small farming that fills this gap.
• Many rural areas are being rezoned as urban or hamlet and are having additional restrictions placed on them
• We'd like to see rabbits removed from the livestock category and restrictions as they are low impact and not commonly regulated
• We would like edible gardens and naturalized areas included in landscaping requirements
• Tiny homes, RVs, shipping containers, bus converts and other alternate housing are being restricted and prohibited and are important during this time
• Social engagement and accessibility to information are important and we want to see an overhaul to the ROQs process
• We want farmer's and homesteaders to have a seat at the table for future planning and policy development

You can attend the hearing Tuesday May 17 at the Liverpool Fire Hall. You can also call and write staff, the mayor and council.

Thanks so much for your support in this process! It's been truly heartwarming to find so many like minded people in our community.

Contacts to voice your concerns:

Mayor Darlene Norman
902-354-3453 (office)
902-350-3274 (cell)
E-mail:  dnorman@regionofqueens.com

Chris McNeill
Chief Administrative Officer 
902-354-3453

Mike MacLeod
Director of Planning & Development
902-354-3455

Deputy Mayor Kevin Muise
902-683-2207 (home)
E-mail:  kmuise@regionofqueens.com

Councillor Ralph Gidney
902-354-4055 (home)
E-mail:  rgidney@regionofqueens.com

Councillor Maddie Charlton
902-356-3200 (cell)
E-mail:  mcharlton@regionofqueens.com

Councillor Vicki Amirault
902-350-2947 (cell)
E-mail:  vamirault@regionofqueens.com

Councillor Jack Fancy
902-354-7216 (home)
902-350-3905 (cell)

Councillor David Brown
902-685-3131 (home)
E-mail:  dbrown@regionofqueens.com

Councillor Carl J. Hawkes
902-682-7360 (home)
E-mail:  chawkes@regionofqueens.com