Homeowners cry ‘fowl!’ over measure to allow city residents to raise chickens

Ann Rosalie Ballard gestures while asking a question regarding the draft ordinance that will create regulations to allow city residents to raise and keep chickens under limited circumstances. Ballard spoke in opposition to the ordinance.

By JIM BROOKS
Nelson County Gazette / WBRT Radio

Thursday, March 29, 2018, 1 p.m. — Urban agriculture is a growing trend across Kentucky and the United States as more consumers take food security issues in their own hands — and backyards.

Nick Kipper, a resident of the xxx block of North Third Street, discusses the draft of an ordinance that would allow city residents to once again raise chickens. The existing ordinance that prohibits city residents from raising chickens has been in place since 1950.

The topic of raising chickens within the city limits returned Tuesday evening to the chambers of the Bardstown City Council. Both supporters and opponents of an ordinance that would allow Bardstown residents the opportunity to raise a limited number of chickens on their property took time to voice their opinions.

North Third Street resident Nick Kipper spoke to the council about how urban agriculture has grown in popularity in cities large and small. Bardstown residents are allowed to have gardens, but keeping small livestock — including chickens — are prohibited by city ordinance 90.24 (A).

Kipper and other urban ag supporters submitted a draft of an ordinance that would allow city residents to raise a limited number of chickens. based on the size of their lot.

The draft ordinance the urban agriculture supporters presented to the council was created after a series of discussions with planning and zoning, members of the council, and urban ag supporters, Kipper said.

The draft ordinance “meets our needs, and it also takes into consideration the needs of the larger community,” Kipper told the council. “You all are the council, you can try it and if it doesn’t work, you can revoke it. It’s not something that can’t be undone.”

Opposition to the raising of a limited number of chickens is based largely on the fears of the unknown, he said.

“It’s like, if we allow chickens in Bardstown, then all of a sudden the Beverly Hillbillies are moving in as neighbors,” he said.

A property that is well-kept won’t be any less well-kept with chickens on it, he explained. The draft ordinance is much more restrictive that those in other cities, including Bowling Green, Louisville and Lexington.

North Third Street resident Cheryl Marquis explains her opposition to the proposed ordinance that will allow city residents to raise chickens under limited circumstances.

The Nelson County UK Extension office will be the agency that will issue permits, provide education, verify applications for permits to keep chickens and inspect the property.

The draft ordinance limits the number of chickens and is highly regulated, Kipper said.

“There’s no reasons to stop people from producing their own food on their own property. Its not affecting other people’s quality of life, its about our quality of life. I want my kids to know where their food comes from.”

Ann Rosalie Ballard and several other downtown residents spoke against allowing residents to raise chickens, even on a very limited basis.

Ballard lives in the city’s historic district, and she focused many of her questions about how raising chickens will fit in the restrictions homeowners in the historic district already deal with.

“We can’t even put a clothesline up in the historical district, we can’t paint our doors with approval,” Ballard said. “We have a farmers market that already offers a lot to everyone if you want fresh eggs.”

Ballard said she was very opposed to allowing city residents to keep chickens at their homes.

North Third Street resident Cheryl Marquis told the council that allowing chickens in the historic district is unfair to property owners who own the historic properties and bought homes in the district knowing they would be required to follow the rules.

Councilman John Kelley told the opponents that the details of the ordinance “remain open,” and that a compromise might mean not allowing chickens in the city’s historic district.

“We just want to hear what everybody has to say,” he said.

Councilwoman Copeland said an revised ordinance should be voted by the council in the near future, and that the question of chickens in the historic district would need the input of the historic district coordinator.

Mayor Dick Heaton said there was additional leg work to do before the ordinance can be brought before the council, including confirming the role of the extension office in education and permitting chickens in the city.

Councilman Kelley suggested that those in the audience who did not have a chance to speak on the issue email the council their thoughts on the matter.

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