While the original ordinance to allow the raising of chickens (hens only) in the city limits failed in a 3-2 vote last month, in tonight’s meeting of the Warsaw Common Council, an amended ordinance moved closer to becoming law.
The vote was 4-3 in favor of allowing up to 25 permits to be issued to city residents to raise chickens. The other amendments passed call for those who successfully complete a chicken keeping class as approved by the city Building and Planning Department, be required to display a tag on all approved chicken coops.
Councilwomen Diane Quance, Elaine Call and Cindy Dobbins voted against the chicken keeping ordinance last month. Call, who also voted against the amended ordinance tonight, said, “I would have considered it with the waivers.” She also said she had heard “no positive comments” in favor of chickens in the city.
Waivers were considered as part of the ordinance last month which would have required all adjacent property owners to sign off and approve their neighbor to raise hens. In presenting the amendments for the ordinance tonight, assistant city planner Tim Dombrosky said, upon further review, they found that waivers would only cause bigger problems.
Dobbins said the input she received was about 50/50. With the amendments approved tonight, she then voted in favor of the ordinance. Quance remained opposed to the ordinance.
Jeff Grose and Charlie Smith, who were not present for the April vote, were split on their opinions. Smith was adamantly opposed to the ordinance saying he was speaking for the majority of his district. “I’ve received numerous calls from people who don’t want this vs. the 25 people who do. To me, it’s agricultural and belongs in the county. And then there’s enforcement costs we have to come up with it.”
Grose referenced the 4-page ordinance noting the “good faith efforts” that have been carefully written out by the proponents of chicken keeping who, he believes, will put forth all efforts to do so responsibly.
With one further amendment, the ordinance will now include a sunset clause. That means, if the ordinance passes in the second reading, and no further action is taken, the ordinance will expire on May 2, 2016.
Call, who also voted against the amendments, said of the sunset clause, “That indicates to me we aren’t sure.”
Only 25 permits will be issued until the ordinance is reviewed by the council. Grose, though in favor of the ordinance, said he would not hesitate to take action if the chickens become an issue.
The newly amended ordinance will now be presented to the full council once more for a second reading and vote.