OLDS — Let the clucking begin.
Olds town council has set April 12 at 1 p.m. as the date for a public hearing on a land use bylaw that would allow residents to keep chickens in town – with some restrictions.
In addition, on that same day and at that same time, residents will be encouraged to give their thoughts on amendments to the town’s Community Standards Bylaw which will also govern the raising of chickens in town.
Initially, the plan is for the public hearing to be held in town council chambers. However, it might be held virtually if pandemic restrictions so dictate.
Council made those decisions during its March 8 meeting.
Community services director Doug Wagstaff said town officials examined 33 different communities’ bylaws regarding chickens before drafting the town’s bylaw amendments.
Councillors have stressed that residents would only be allowed to raise chickens for their own consumption; they can’t sell the resulting eggs or meat to others.
All chickens raised must be hens – no roosters will be allowed. Those wishing to raise chickens will have to apply for a licence to do so.
At the suggestion of Coun. Mary Jane Harper, council is looking at imposing limits on the number of licences that will be issued.
Two options discussed were one per 1,000 residents (about 10 licences) and one per 650 residents, which would work out to a total of 14 licences available, although council might opt for a figure within that range.
Mayor Mike Muzychka said if that’s the case, the town may want to set up a waiting list if there’s strong demand for the licences.
Natasha Wright of Parkland Community Planning Services confirmed that anyone proposing to raise chickens would have to obtain a development permit in order to construct a coop to house them.
Operations director Scott Chant said a coop would be considered an accessory building, so anyone wishing to construct one would have to receive approval from the Municipal Planning Commission.
It was his understanding that a development permit would cost about $100. On the bright side, it was noted development permit fees have been waived for the first six months of the year.
Several councillors repeated a desire that those who want to raise chickens must provide proof that they’ve taken a course on how to do so.
It was said that could easily be done online and it was suggested that such a course might be offered by Olds College or from a farmer who raises chickens.
Coun. Heather Ryan also said those raising chickens should have to obtain a PID (premises identification number) through the province so disease in chicken populations can be tracked.
She said she had learned that many communities have that requirement in their bylaws.
“These are live animals and I think we need to make sure they are protected,” Ryan said.
Coun. Mitch Thomson thought that requirement was only for commercially raised chickens but Ryan said it’s required for non-commercial operations as well.
Coun. Mary Jane Harper said the residents should be limited to having a total of only four chickens instead of the six currently allowed.
She said that would solve the problem of residents ending up with more eggs than they can consume.
“And make sure there’s no chicks in that because part of my education this last week is until a chick is 12 weeks old, you don’t know if it’s a rooster or a hen. That’s why most of the municipalities have said you can’t have chicks. The hens must be 14 weeks old or older," she said.
Combined, discussion on the two bylaws lasted for nearly 40 minutes.
Coun. Debbie Bennett said that's plenty of debate. It’s time to hear input from citizens themselves.
“Let our citizens speak instead of being so concerned with all the rules and regulations,” Bennett said. “They’re going to have much better ideas than we have so I would like this discussion to end.”
Coun. Mary Anne Overwater echoed that sentiment.
“I agree we should certainly hear all what our citizens have to say,” Overwater said. “They might decide something totally different than what we have, so I’ll keep my mind and decision open until we hear from them.”
