Planning board won’t loosen chicken chokehold

The commission also voted to recommend designating chicken "tractors" as accessory structures like sheds and dog houses, thereby subjecting them to all relevant city codes. A chicken tractor is a mobile cage that allows chickens to roam while remaining enclosed.

Chickens are already allowed within city limits, but must be kept 100 feet from any property line, which disqualifies most properties in the city. First Ward City Council member Kent Butler announced earlier this summer his intention to introduce legislation that would allow city residents to keep a small number of chickens, by changing the setback requirements. The matter was sent to the Planning Commission for consideration.

Commission member Nicholas Bittner said Wednesday at the close of the meeting that he doesn't want the issue to turn into an urban versus rural situation.

Earlier in the meeting, Bittner explained that even if a chicken tractor is designated as an accessory structure, it would still be covered by city laws governing the keeping of chickens and other fowl. Planners had wanted to include chicken tractors as accessory structures so they can be subject to more detailed definitions of where they're allowed and where they aren't.

Athens Mayor Paul Wiehl, who sits on the commission, noted that defining setbacks and defining chicken tractors will not sufficiently deal with all of the issues related to keeping a farm animal within city limits.

Wiehl said another of his concerns is that the city does not have a full-time animal control officer to deal with the issue if chickens are allowed.

Commission member R.J. Sumney said he also has some reservations about the chicken issue.

He cited disease, the density of the population within the city, the high number of students, possible salmonella problems stemming from improper maintenance, and runoff and odor problems associated with chicken feces.

Sumney said real-estate agents in the area suggested to him that allowing chicken coops would make it harder for residential property owners to sell their homes.

He also wondered if local government might be strained by allowing chickens because resources would have to be appropriated to properly educate residents on care and upkeep.

The Planning Commission also heard from Athens City-County Health Department administrator Chuck Hammer, who presented a number of issues regarding chickens that aren't necessarily health threats but are important to take into consideration. Hammer noted that while people often associate loud noise with roosters, hens can also be quite loud.

City Council, which meets for its first meeting since July next week, has the option of revisiting the chicken issue, or abiding by the Planning Commission's recommendation against loosening the setback rules for chicken coops.