If it hadn't been for one stray bantam rooster that got into a shipment of chicks, County resident Rob McDonald would not have had a rooster crow while he was away, the neighbor wouldn't have complained and he wouldn't have found out that chickens are not permitted in the County residential zones. Up until that point, related McDonald, his neighbors had not problem with the chickens he kept in a coop.
Having found that they are not legal, McDonald and his daughter Grace came before the County Planning Commission on December 8th to request that the County consider permitting a small number of hens as part of their garden.
Planner David Winston said that he is in favor of allowing chickens and that they have become an integral part of many people's gardens. "Charlottesville can serve as model," he suggested. "They allow chickens and have not had any problems." In general, all the planners seemed in favor however, they did have concerns about the provisions including the number of chickens, the size of the lot and setbacks and did not want chickens running loose.
Winston said it was a fine line between having a pet and having chickens. "Would we regulate how many parrots a person has?" he asked. "Barking dogs are more a nuisance than chickens."
McDonald offered to lend planners copies of organic gardening with a chicken on the front and Pat Foreman's book, City Chicks.
There was consensus to move forward and look at the issue and to look at allowing chickens in residential zones in the County.
| City to Consider Allowing Chickens as Pets |
By Patrick Hite
patrick@chartwellcorp.com |
Lexington residents shouldn't count their chickens just yet. At least not until Jon Ellestad and Laurence Mann hatch a plan to keep the birds within city limits.
The social and economic services committee of Lexington's City Council discussed a citizen's suggestion Thursday night to allow laying hens as pets within the city limits. Those making the suggestion say hens are excellent pets and great with children. A side benefit is fresh eggs.
But one of the biggest concerns of committee members was the distance any such ordinance would require the hens be kept from neighboring dwellings. According to Jon Ellestad, the city manager, most jurisdictions within Virginia with similar ordinances require the hen owners to keep their pets at a minimum of 125 feet from nearby dwellings, while some require the distance to be 300 feet or more.
"In a great majority of cities they are not allowed," Ellestad told committee members.
But in a draft proposal by Lexington resident Pat Foreman, author of "Chicken Tractor," a summary of laws throughout the United States showed that many cities do allow chickens within city limits and some allowed the fowl to be kept as little as 25 feet from neighboring dwellings.
Monika Eaton, who is leading the drive to have chickens allowed in Lexington, presented the committee with a list of signatures from her neighbors, none of who objected.
But there were other fears expressed by committee members, as well as Lexington's animal control officer, Roger Clark. According to a letter to Ellestad, Clark was worried that allowing chickens in the city would lead to more problems. For one, complaints from neighbors would rise, Clark wrote. Some possible complaints he foresees include those of possible animal cruelty, noise, smell and escaped chickens. And he would have to investigate any such complaints.
"A barking dog would be a lot more offensive," Foreman said, "and would need more room than Attila the Hen (a laying hen brought to the meeting by Foreman)."
Clark was also concerned that the presence of chickens would attract other animals, including raccoons and snakes.
But Foreman said she's never had a problem with snakes or raccoons.
"More it would be dogs," Foreman said, "and dogs can be trained not to chase chickens."
Per those making the suggestion, no roosters should be allowed and no slaughtering of the chickens would be permitted.
Another concern of Ellestad and the committee members was that, if laying hens were allowed in Lexington, what other fowl should be allowed.
"I do have a problem," said Tim Golden, Lexington's vice-mayor, but not a member of the social and economic services committee, who attended the meeting. "Why are we going to allow one and not another?"
Eaton said most other fowl, including turkeys and ducks, might cause problems. But, she would like to see the committee keep an open mind about other birds.
"If there are other fowl equally benign and equally beneficial," Eaton said, "then we need to think about that."
One suggestion made at the meeting was to have the policy, if one was adopted, reviewed in a year's time. If there are problems then, the ordinance could be changed then.
Still, Golden gave an idea of just how City Council might view this if it ends up in its lap. Golden said he has always thought that cities should be tightly zoned as far as what's permitted and what's not permitted. He said counties and towns are less restrictive.
"Are we kind of taking a step backward," Golden asked. "Do we want to allow chickens raised in Lexington? I'm not sure most of our citizens would say, 'yes, that's something I want to permit.'"
But Mimi Elrod, the committee chair, said it could just be in the way we're all conditioned to think. We accept dogs and cats in the city, so why not chickens?
"We don't think of chickens as being city animals," Elrod said, "but maybe we've got to think differently. We should at least think about it."
Ellestad and Mann, the City's attorney, will come up with an ordinance and bring it back to the committee for their approval in the near future. From there, a public hearing would be held and City Council would have to give its stamp of approval.
Ron Smith, a member of the committee, isn't so sure they'll find much success, especially once they start considering distance, the number of chickens allowed per owner, the type of structures need to house the birds and other specifics that will need to be dealt with.
"By the time everybody is happy," Smith said, "it's going to be very restrictive."
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| May Clark objects to having chickens in subdivisions at the County Planning Commission meeting on Wednesday, January 12th. "Chickens don't bother me, I lived on a farm but they don't belong in Cedar Grove. You are going to tell me that I have to put up with chickens next door when I have lived in Rockbridge all my life and someone moves in who is new to the area and wants them? I moved to the city so I didn't have to be near them," she said. Clark also spoke about the threat of disease as she has a son who needs to live in a sterile environment. (Photo by Patte Wood) |
CORRECTED: Chickens In County Going To Public Hearing
Neighbor Says They Don't Belong In Subdivisions |
By Patte Wood
Staff Reporter |
[Reporters Note: The Rockbridge Weekly erroneously reported that Mae Clark and Estelle Steele were mother and daughter. They are only neighbors and we regret any confusion or problems this error may have caused.]
The matter of chickens, actually hens, in residential districts in the County was continued at the Planning Commission meeting on Wednesday, January 12th with comments from those for and against during the discussion. As reported last month, Cedar Grove resident Rob McDonald and his daughter Grace have a small number of hens that she is raising as pets and for family egg consumption as part of the family garden. Chickens in urban gardens have become popular with the locally grown foods movement.
On the table was a proposed change to zoning regulations drafted by Planning Director Sam Crickenberger for the commission to consider as follows. Additions in brackets:
"Article 5 - Application of Zoning Regulations
504.00 - Gardening [And Chickens]
Gardening [and the keeping of up to six female chickens] shall be exempt from zoning permit requirements in any district allowing residential uses provided that such gardening [and the keeping of female chickens] shall not be objectionable by reason of odor, dust, noise, pollution, soil erosion, sedimentation, or drainage. [Roosters shall not be allowed. The minimum acreage requirement for keeping chickens shall be one (1) acre and any structures and pens erected for such purpose shall be located in the rear yard, twenty (20) feet off of any side or rear property lines. The chickens shall be required to be contained within a pen at all times.]"
Although it was not a public hearing, several residents spoke including Karl Mogensen, owner of the Natural Bridge Zoo, County resident and author of "City Chicks" Pat Foreman, Cedar Grove resident and neighbor Mae Clark, Estelle Steele, and County resident Jessica Conner.
Mogensen said he felt that chickens in a semi-rural area allowed people to enjoy fresh eggs and he could not see them offending anyone. "Most kids these days don't know where an egg comes from," he said. Mogensen recommended that people read Pat Foreman's book "City Chicks" saying that it is enlightening and interesting.
Pat Foreman explained that the backyard chicken movement is sweeping the country and that they are now allowed in over 500 cities. She presented information on the 7 false myths about urban chickens (see end of story) saying, "with the reemergence of backyard chickens across the country, there have been tremendous amounts of misconceptions, false beliefs and downright prejudice surrounding the keeping of family flocks of chickens. Chickens are soft, clean and have a bad rap."
Cedar Grove resident and neighbor of the McDonalds Mae Clark adamantly opposed the ordinance amendment saying, "Chickens don't bother me, I lived on a farm but they don't belong in Cedar Grove. You are going to tell me that I have to put up with chickens next door when I have lived in Rockbridge all my life and someone moves in who is new to the area and wants them? I moved to the city so I didn't have to be near them," she said. Clark also spoke about the threat of disease as she has a son who needs to live in a sterile environment and they moved to the subdivision and built their house for him. She provided information to the commission on Histoplasmosis. Clark also expressed concern about the possible contamination of the creeks that flow through the subdivision from water runoff and said she wasn't going to read Foreman's book and would find her own information on the Internet.
Foreman later provided the following information to The Rockbridge Weekly on histoplasmosis. It is a fungal disease that affects the respiratory system. It can be a problem for immunosuppressed individuals. It is found throughout the world and is endemic in certain areas of the United States, mostly the Mississippi and Ohio River valleys. It grows in soil and material contaminated with bat or bird droppings. The fungus has been found poultry house litter, caves, areas harboring bats, and in bird roosts. Up to 80% of the people living in areas where it is common test positive for it; but have no problems. It can be a problem for immunosuppressed individuals.
McDonald said that he appreciated Clark's comments and her concerns but also said that Pat Foreman is an expert and a scientist and the evidence shows that small flocks of chickens are not a health risk. "I invite you to come and look at our chicken coop," he urged.
Commission chair Chris Wise asked Clark what size lot she would recommend and she answered, over an acre. The lots in Cedar Ridge average about an acre.
County resident Jessica Conner told the Commission that she has a child with a serious heart illness and that they have chickens that are organically fed that her daughter plays with and she has not had any problems.
Estelle Steele, mother of Mae Clark told the planners that as a child she didn't like chickens than and doesn't like them now and that is why she moved to Lexington. "I don't want to look out my window and see chickens. If I wanted that I would have stayed in the country. It is my prerogative not to have to deal with chickens."
Planner Tommy Black said that he personally didn't see a problem and would rely on what the CDC said. "That is where the real science is," he said.
Wise said that he felt the commission needs to do some research on diseases and it was suggested that the research could be done before the public hearing.
John Houser said he felt that 8 or 9 dogs next door would be more of a problem than 6 chickens. "I have trouble with the argument," he commented.
Jim McCown agreed saying that any other fowl or animals would create noise.
Clark responded that the commission had no idea what they were talking about. "I'm not a dumb country girl," she said. "Come look at my son who I have struggled to raise and talk to a woman who has health problems from cleaning chicken coops. Would you like to talk to her? This sounds like a promotion for a book and chicken coops."
Wise responded that disease does not have to do with acreage or lot size and he felt one acre was reasonable with the setbacks. Clark asked for two acres.
John Houser commented that if setbacks could not be met then that resident would not be allowed to have chickens and he also said that he would personally be more concerned about neighbors who sprayed their gardens.
Houser moved to take the amendment to public hearing with Tommy Black seconding the motion. The motion passed unanimously with Planner David Winston absent from the meeting. The public hearing will allow for more publication and there will also be a public hearing before the Board of Supervisors in March.
SEVEN MYTHS ABOUT URBAN CHICKENS
The seven main concerns that routinely surface when the topic of city chicks are discussed are:
"1) Chickens Carry Diseases Communicable to Humans - The true is that small flocks have literally no risk of avian flu transmission to humans. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) states on their website: 'There is no need at present to remove a (family) flock of chickens because of concerns regarding avian flu.'"
2) Chickens Are Too Noisy - Laying hens at their loudest have about the same decibel level as human conversation (60 to 70 decibels).
3) Waste and Odor - A forty pound dog generates more solid waste than ten chickens. To be more specific, a dog generates about 3/4 pounds of waste every day. Ten chickens generated about 2/3 pounds. The advantage to chicken manure is that it can be used as valuable, high-nitrogen fertilizer and can be combined with yard and leaf compost whereas dog and cat waste cannot.
4) Chickens Attract Predators, Pests & Rodents - predators and rodents are already living in urban areas attracted by bird feeders, pet food, gardens, fish ponds, bird baths and trash waiting to be picked up. Modern micro-flock coops and other pens are ways of keeping and managing family flocks that eliminate concerns . . . Chickens are voracious carnivores and will seek and eat just about anything that moves including ticks, fleas, mosquitoes, grasshoppers, stink bugs, slugs, and even mice, baby rats and small snakes.
5) Property Values Will Decrease - There is not one single documented case that we know about. On the contrary, local foods and living green is so fashionable, that some realtors and home sellers are offering a free chicken coop with every sale.
6) Coops Are Ugly - Micro-flock coop designs can be totally charming, upscale and even whimsical.
7) What Will The Neighbors Think? - You can't control what anyone things, much less your neighbors. Once folks gain more experience with the advantages and charms of chickens, most prejudice and fear evaporates."
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| City Chicks author and advocate Pat Foreman explains that a small flock of chickens do not pose a health threat and dispels seven myths about urban chickens at the County Planning Commission meeting on Wednesday, January 12th. Foreman said that domestic dogs and cats produce more waste than chickens and they eat ticks, fleas, baby rats, mice and snakes. (Photo by Patte Wood) |
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| 13-year old Hannah Gould of Brownsburg explains to the Rockbridge County Planning Commission at their public hearing on allowing chickens in residential areas of the county that they are like any other pets and that they have personalities and are nice to have. "You can abuse them or love them. They are not dirty and noisy and if you keep them clean they like you better," she said. (Photo by Patte Wood) |
CORRECTED: Planners Recommend Approval For Chickens In County
Amended Gardening Ordinance Allows Up To Six Backyard Hens In Residential Zoning |
By Patte Wood
Staff Reporter |
With the official public hearing before the Rockbridge County Planning Commission to allow hens in the residential zoning districts finally at hand, several citizens came forward to speak, however, only one person spoke against amending the gardening ordinance with the most vocal opponents from from previous meetings not in attendance.
In making their comments at the Wednesday, February 9th meeting before unanimously recommending approval, members of the planning commission expressed their regret that the neighbors of Rob McDonald opposed to the ordinance had not attended the meeting and said that they hope that residents of the Cedar Grove would visit McDonald to see how the chickens are kept so that there would not be anymore tension.
Cedar Grove resident Shirley Barnes did speak saying, "we had a quiet, nice, neighborly neighborhood before this and now there is tension. Neighbors don't want to get involved. I cannot see chickens in a residential neighborhood. The Clarks are not here. I babysat their son and with out their love and support that child would never have made it to 38. There are other ways to go green like recycling."
Andy Marsinko said that 99.9% of salmonella contamination on eggs are from commercial operations and not backyard flocks. "If you have dogs and cats, you already will have mice and children are tickled to death to have hens. They carry them around and show them. Four or five hens are not a problem."
City Chicks author Pat Foreman said that the advantage of chickens is that they will eat anything in the backyard including garbage, fleas and bugs. They manage solid waste and are "clucking, civic employees." She explained that in Europe, homeowners are given hens to help manage waste, not for their eggs.
Dawn Paul [not Joy Hall as previously reported] of Natural Bridge invited people to come and sit and watch her chickens. They are pets, great animals and lovable. My granddaughter takes her hen for a ride in the basket of her bike - it is her baby. People stop by all the time just to watch them, she said. "I'm more disturbed by barking dogs than chickens," she remarked.
Rob McDonald explained that none of the neighbors that are opposed to his having chickens have come to his house to see them or talk to them. "I'm sorry about the tension but I think there is fear and speculation and preconceptions that could be alleviated if they would come and see them."
Chris Carpenter said that he was raised where there were chickens and no harm came to him. "It is good to have kids interact with animals other than dogs and cats. It connects them with nature and teaches them about the earth."
13-year old Hannah Gould of Brownsburg explained that chickens are like any other pets and that they have personalities and are nice to have. "You can abuse them or love them. They are not dirty and noisy and if you keep them clean they like you better," she said.
Planner David Winston said that there is a continuem between pets and agricultural animals. "People have miniature ponies, pigeons, falcons, peacocks, and pot belly pigs. Chickens have a good track record at being good neighbors," he commented. "I think that it is for historical reasons that we currently see chickens as only agricultural. I just wish the Clarks were here so the could be shown how well it can be done. As written it is a fine ordinance." Winston also told the chicken community that it is up to them to make sure that they don't jeopardize their situation.
Jim McCown said he felt that the amendment has enough restrictions to address concerns and wouldn't want the young people to miss out on the opportunity of raising hens."
Tommy Black also said that he felt the amendments addressed concerns and that there is greater disease with dogs and cats. "I don't see a problem."
John Houser said that he agrees with the warm, fuzziness of chickens. "People can have dogs, some areas have cattle, this isn't any different."
Chris Wise pointed out that the regulations includes provisions for odor, dust, noise, pollution, soil erosion, and drainage. "There will be no chicken police. This is a big change for a lot of people This is a community thing and you need to be good neighbors and work out problems."
The amendment to the gardening zoning regulations allows up to six female chickens with roosters not allowed. Minimum acreage shall be one acre and any structures or pens erected shall be located in the ear yard, 20 feet off of any side or rear property lines. The chickens shall be required to be contained within a pen at all times.
Reporters Note: The Rockbridge Weekly erroneously reported that Mae Clark and Estelle Steele were mother and daughter in last weeks story on Chickens in residential zones of the County They are only neighbors. We also reported the Mrs. Clark grew up on farm, she informed us that she said she grew up as a country girl and did not live on a farm. We regret any confusion or problems these errors may have caused.
Backyard chicken advocate Pat Foreman celebrates with Cedar Grove resident Grace MacDonald after the unanimous decision by the County Board of Supervisors to allow up to 6 hens in backyard gardens in the residential areas of the County on Monday, March 28th. The matter arose after one of the chicks that Grace and her siblings were raising in their backyard coop turned out to be a rooster and alerted the neighbors. Supervisor Buster Lewis thanked the MacDonald's for spending the $200 to bring the matter forward. (Photo by Patte Wood)
May The Flock Be With You!
Backyard Hens Unanimously Approved By County Supervisors |
By Patte Wood
Staff Reporter |
The chickens in the county residential areas issue brought a flock of about 40 chicken pioneers and some opponents to the Rockbridge County Board of Supervisors meeting on Monday, March 28th. It has been a long process, but the dream of county children to be able to raise a few chickens in their backyard for eggs and as pets in residential areas finally came true on as, after a public hearing, the County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to allow up to 6 hens as part of backyard gardens with certain provisions.
As has been reported as The Rockbridge Weekly followed this story, the matter of allowing hens in residential areas of the county arose when Cedar Grove resident Rob MacDonald and his three children discovered that one of the chicks they were raising was not a hen but a rooster and the rooster alerted the neighbors to his presence.
After a neighbor complained to the County, MacDonald found out that there wasn't an ordinance that allowed the hens so he applied to the County to be allowed to have them and there the process began for the County to propose and adopt an amendment to the gardening ordinance.
With the locally grown food movement spreading across the U.S., having chickens as part of backyard gardens is becoming widespread and many municipalities have been dealing with the controversial issue.
County Planning Director Sam Crickenberger told the Supervisors that the Planning Commission had recommended approval of the amendment unanimously and that they had looked at issues including disease. "Every disease we found associated with chickens was passed only through direct contact," reported Crickenberger who said that salmonella usually comes from unwashed eggs. Chicken advocate and former health inspector Andy Marsinko explained that 98% of salmonella comes from commercial eggs and that he has been working with kids from all over the county and they are amazed when they see a chicken lay an egg as most children do now have any idea where an egg comes from. "They have fun with them and they become pets," he said.
MacDonald thanked the Supervisors for considering the issue and said that when he brought 5 chicks home in a cardboard box he never dreamed the he would end up before the Supervisors. "This has become much more significant than I anticipated," remarked MacDonald. "I now think about the bigger issues including what we teach children, the use of land, and how conduct ourselves as responsible neighbors. Although I don't think of this a radical and it is commonly done, it caused some discussions and I have been encouraged. I have been convinced that most objections are more about stereotypes than founded in fact," he continued and thanked the Supervisors for listening.
Cedar Grove neighbor Butch Irvine explained that he has watched Grace MacDonald and her siblings raise their chicks and is amazed that the come home and tend to them instead of playing computer games. "It is refreshing to see them outside," he commented. "They have become pets and have names and are kept clean, well cared for and not offensive. When my four grandchildren come to visit, the first thing they want to do is see the chickens. It is nice to have them in the neighborhood and don't bother us at all. I'm a country boy and deer eat my shrubs and make deposits and other critters are seen including fox, coyote, skunks and possums that bother me more. I welcome the chickens."
Neighbor Shirley Barnes had another view to offer. "This is not about the MacDonalds or the Clarks, this is about what is best for the neighborhood," she said. "Subdivisions are not an appropriate place for chickens. It is not a good thing to do. I'm not against chickens but if every house has chickens clucking, what will that do? What are they going to do when hawks and foxes come after them, shoot them [the predators]? There is one neighbor with a garden who shoots the rabbits and there are children around."
Eileen Brower said, "I hear the chicken phenomena is happening every where and I have given it thought. Not everyone will have chickens and I think that intermingling is in our favor. They will keep children in touch with nature."
Linda Davis said that she had grown up a city girl and had no preconceived ideas about chickens but as someone who recently taken care of them, she found them surprisingly quiet. "I think dogs are much more obnoxious disrupters," she commented.
Neighbor Mae Clark told the Supervisors, "I'm the reason that this has happened. We built in Cedar Grove and are going to stay there. It is a nice quiet subdivision where a lot of people retire. Some like it quiet and some are noisy. The value of our houses is $500,000 and up and we pay taxes. We shouldn't have to have chickens in our subdivision and they will affect the value of our homes. This will open a Pandora's Box and the next person will want to have a goat or a horse. What are we allowing here?"
Dawn Paul of Natural Bridge Station invited the Supervisors to visit her "chicken alley" where there are 17 coops and people from all over come to see her pets. "A dog is much more of a problem. They keep me awake where a rooster will crow only once or twice about 3 or 4 a.m. My granddaughter has a lung and heart disease and she carries her pet hen on her bike," she said. "Besides, they eat the bugs and ticks."
Casey Brower of Ross Road explained that the issue is one of scale a proportion. "The County has recognized the distinction and these will be modest gardens not commercial enterprises."
City Chick author Pat Foreman explained that chickens are used as clucking employees in some European cities to manage yard and solid waste. "We have an opportunity here. We are blessed with a vibrant local foods movement and a zero waste policy. At no cost to taxpayers, low tech chickens will help compost so that solid waste does not have to be trucked elsewhere. We could do a pilot program to quantify how much in tax dollars backyard chickens wills ave."
After the public hearing, Supervisor Mack Smith acknowledged that Cedar Grove residents are his neighbors and that he had grown up with thousands of chickens his family raised. He asked for a definition of pen as he did not see it in the ordinance, concerned with what type of material people would use. Sam Crickenberger read the definition that is elsewhere in the ordinance and it was decided the definition of a pen as a small enclosure was sufficient.
Smith moved to adopt the amended ordinance with Buster Lewis giving the second. Lewis admitted that he is "a chicken partisan" and finds clucking sound beautiful. "I am amazed at the amount of waste they eat. This is a no brainer. We are a rural county with about 1,000 residential parcels over an acre," he said. Both Smith and Lewis reported they have had residential residents asking to please let them have chickens. Lewis thanked the MacDonalds for following through and spending $200 to get an amended ordinance. "This has really been a contribution [to county resident]," he concluded. The audience burst into applause as the roll call vote was taken and the approval was unanimous.
In a post-meeting email to the community, Pat Foreman wrote, "Howdy Poultry Pioneers!! The chicken vote passed 100% = unanimous! We had over 40 poultry advocates there - folks really showed support." She handed out a graphic showing how family flocks of chickens recycle and also sent that out by email.
"NOW - the flock can be with you — at least in county residential areas," wrote Foreman. |
 WE WON THE COUNTY VOTE UNANIMOUSLY!!!!!!!
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| LDMS students Elle Crossman of Lexington and Grace McDonald of Rockbridge County happily hold a large stuffed chicken mascot after the Rockbridge County Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend approval of the amended gardening ordinance at their February 9th meeting. The amendment would allow not more than 6 female chickens to be kept in residential back yards. McDonald, a resident of Cedar Grove, currently has pet chickens and championed the amendment. The proposed amendment will go to the Board of Supervisors on February 28 for public hearing. (Photo by Patte Wood) |
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| Cedar Grove resident Rob McDonald explains that he did not want to cause tension in the neighborhood with his request to have chickens in his backyard at the public hearing before the Count Planning Commission on February 9th. "I wish that you would all come visit to see what we are talking about," he said after revealing that none of the neighbors had come to talk with him about the issue. (Photo by Patte Wood) |
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