Nearly two years ago, local Advocates for Backyards Chicken had their dream of a new ordinance allowing chickens within city limits scrambled when the City Council voted the measure down.
Now, the group is jumping back into the frying pan to try again.
Alderpersons voting against the measure at the Aug. 7, 2023 council meeting included Dave Dorsett, Dennis Moon, John Vigezzi and Don Wynn. Those voting in favor of the plan were Ashley Katz, Justin Schuch and Byron Shabazz. During the vote, the alderpersons casting a ‘nay’ vote stated that they heard more voices against the proposal, than for, from their constituents. Just days before the August 2023 vote in Macomb, the Monmouth City Council had voted to approve a backyard chickens’ ordinance. Pekin, Galesburg and Quincy allow backyard chickens within city limits, and larger cities, such as Decatur, Naperville and Bloomington, also allow urban chickens.
Alderperson-at-Large Jennie Hemingway and Dorsett are using their official Facebook pages to allow their constituents to have a say on the proposed ordinance. To date, close to 80 people have weighed in across the two Facebook pages, with many providing favorable comments in support of allowing backyard chicken coops within city limits.
“My previous objections were made clear and it is my understanding from staff that the petitioners are attempting to address most of them before coming before council again,” Dorsett told The Community News Brief. “Some, I believe, may be hard to address but I’m certainly willing to listen.”
Following the 2023 vote, Dorsett published a list on his Macomb Ward Words Facebook page outlining his concerns and reasons behind his “nay” vote, some of which included economic feasibility for some (regarding the $200 initial license fee), viruses/diseases and fiscal damage to producers who rely on income from egg sales, as well as not enough positive support from residents. Vigezzi also noted following the vote two years ago that he heard more negatives than positives from his constituency.
The Advocates, composed of nine residents who live within city limits and a few who live outside city limits, were told by city officials to give it a few years and come back to the drawing board to try again. According to Advocates member Mallory Kessler, the group has reconvened and are doing more this time around to bolster support, including a more in-depth educational campaign and working with alderpersons to reach an agreement that works for everyone.
They’re also meeting with Community Development Director Miranda Lambert and the Macomb Planning Commission to revise the former proposed ordinance. After changes are made, the amended ordinance will go before the Community Development Committee, which is made up of three city council members (Dorsett, Katz and Vigezzi). If the committee approves the amended ordinance, it then goes before the City Council for a final vote. The group is hoping for approval before the end of the year.
“We’ve met with City of Macomb administrators to begin the process, and we’re also reaching out to city council members to ask what changes could be made to the past proposed ordinance to make them feel more comfortable voting ‘yes,’” Kessler explained. “We also plan to contact officials in neighboring towns that allow chickens to ask what works well and what could be improved to help us make changes to the original proposed ordinance.”
The previous ordinance, some of which will be included in the new proposal, included applications must be filed at city hall for a special license for a resident to have up to six hens (no roosters), and those owning chickens in town must have a fully enclosed backyard. In addition, individuals applying for the license would have to present their application to the City Council for final approval.
“This ordinance will not allow anyone and everyone to have backyard chickens as there is a limit of the number of coops that will be allowed within city limits,” she added. “City officials have expressed concerns over possible hoarding or abuse issues; however, this ordinance could actually help alleviate that from occurring as it would require approved applicants to renew their license annually. Plus, a license could be revoked or terminated if there are neighbor complaints, or the individual is not adhering to the many points within the ordinance.”
City Administrator Scott Coker shared one of their concerns is the city’s three zoning officers are part-time employees so enforcing this new ordinance would bring about additional work. The Advocates; however, believe the way the ordinance will be written, along with the steps that those who wish to have backyard chickens must take to be approved and in compliance, the additional work would be minimal.
“Based on the conversations we had in 2023, it seemed that other cities had no issues. Once started, urban chicken ordinances ran smoothly themselves,” Kessler pointed out.
The Advocates created a detailed website during their first go-round (macombchickens.com), which remains up-todate and contains information regarding raising chickens and more. Residents are encouraged to answer a survey on the Advocates website so the results can be shared with the council. The group also has a Facebook page at facebook. com/MacombChickens.
They’re hoping the fourth time will be a charm. In addition to the 2023 proposed ordinance, the initiative came before city leaders in 2021 and 2012. Those in support of the ordinance are asked to contact their alderperson and the mayor (contact information available on the group’s website) and/or attend City Council meetings to address the city’s leaders during the public comments portion of the meeting.
“We have a variety of reasons for wanting to do this, with one, of course, being the continued rising cost of eggs, as well as the fact that eggs from factory-farmed chickens, the kind carried in grocery stores, are not as nutrient dense as eggs from pasture-raised chickens that are allowed space to peck for their own food. Healthy chickens lay healthy eggs,” Kessler explained. “There are many benefits from raising your own eggs for food, similar to gardening to harvest vegetables, not to mention teaching our children animal husbandry; utilizing kitchen scraps as feed, which reduces food waste ending up in landfills; using chicken manure as fertilizer for gardens and flowerbeds, natural pest control and more.”
Some of the concerns that were raised during the last go-round by some of the alderpersons who voted against the measure including the application fee of $200 was too high and would not be feasible for everyone; the setbacks were too large and that animal control or a peace officer would be responsible for capturing fowl on the loose. Kessler noted that their group had similar concerns.
“We would like to see that dollar amount lowered. For example, the City of Rock Island, which allows backyard chickens, only charges a $25 application fee. We also agree that the setbacks from property lines and dwellings were too big,” she said. “And if a chicken gets loose, it is the owner’s responsibility. Chickens are not dangerous animals and will not cause property damage if they happen to get out of their pen.
“We are working diligently with city officials and our community to ensure that we answer any questions that arise, and that we can craft an ordinance that allows the ownership of backyard chickens in an ethical and safe fashion,” Kessler concluded. “Finally, please read the ordinance, and get in touch with us and your city officials. If you support us, please speak up. We want to hear from residents. If chickens were to be allowed in Macomb, what regulations would you want in place, and if you feel that chickens should not be permitted, regardless of any regulations, why not? Having this information will help us draft and refine an ordinance that hopefully will alleviate concerns and allow us this opportunity to raise chickens in our backyards.”
