Hens Find a Home in Montgomery
At their December 2 meeting, City Council agreed that hens (no roosters) and rabbits could be kept in Montgomery residential backyards. The decision marks the end of an eight month process that included giving residents opportunities to post opinions about keeping hens on the City’s website and speaking directly to council at meetings and a public hearing.
The majority of those that voiced their opinion at council meetings and on the City’s website were in favor of keeping backyard hens, citing the desire to provide fresh eggs for families and pesticide-free fertilizer for gardens. Many also thought raising hens would provide a positive learning experience for children.
City Council previously updated its general Code of Ordinances prohibiting livestock in the community, but referred the matter to the Planning Commission for further study. The Planning Commission studied whether, under certain conditions, keeping a limited number of smaller animals as livestock could be accommodated in residential areas without creating threats to the health, safety, and general welfare of neighbors or the community at large. Planning Commission reviewed this issue in several meetings and recommended that a limited number of rabbits and chickens/hens could be safely kept using existing health department regulations, property maintenance regulations and certain amendments to the Land Usage Code.
The ordinance becomes effective January 2, 2010.