During the meeting, several comparisons were made between chickens and dogs, including that chickens are no messier, no smellier, and no louder, as long as they are cared for properly. Not one attendee outwardly expressed disapproval of urban agriculture in this context.
“We do sell chickens. It’s the wave of the future,” says Pawl Hollis, owner of Rail City Garden Center in Sparks. Hollis has been a leading supporter in moving the ordinance towards approval.
Although the ordinance had plenty of community support, there were also several concerns. One hold up for many council members was the issue of who would monitor any problems brought about by allowing chickens, bees, and community gardens.
Councilmember Ed Lawson was worried about the “bad actors” who might try to abuse the ordinance, skirt the law, and bend regulations.
Despite setbacks and concerns, the bill was unanimously approved. Councilwoman Julia Ratti, who first raised the issue in 2011, says the risk is relatively minimal and suggested reviewing how the new ordinance is working out after monitoring it for a year, particularly as it relates to enforcement issues.
As a result of the ordinance, community members, outside of planned residential developments (such as Wingfield Springs, D’Andrea, and others), can provide a home for chickens and bees, but are subject to a set of restrictions.
Roosters are prohibited, and the number of chickens allowed is based on the size of the property. Beehives are allowed in backyards, but no more than two hives are allowed per parcel. Participants in urban agriculture, including the possession of chickens and bees, are subject to inspections upon neighborhood complaints.
With this news, community members can house chickens and bees. Also, those interested in creating and maintaining community gardens can now do so. All these changes will help further the local food movement.
To see the map, where urban agriculture was approved, click here.
