LONGMONT — City Council members will probably vote tonight to allow residents to raise chickens in their backyards, ending nearly a year of debate on the issue.
Some residents are already clamoring for permits to build chicken coops, said city planner Ben Ortiz. “I’ve had seven or eight solid inquiries from people who say, ‘I want to get a permit.’ ”
The council on Feb. 10 voted 6-1 for the hen ordinance. Tonight will see the public hearing and likely the second and final vote on the issue, which has been a controversial topic in the city.
In a 5-2 vote, the city’s planning and zoning board has recommended the City Council vote down the idea. Members of the board, as well as councilman Gabe Santos, have said chickens don’t belong within city limits.
“They believe they are farm animals and believe they should stay on the farm,” Ortiz said.
Supporters say having chickens boosts self-sufficiency and ensures a healthy supply of eggs.
Others in Longmont have complained the city is spending too much time on chickens when more important matters are pending, including redeveloping a sagging mall and working on local roads.
But, Ortiz said, the city wanted to make sure residents had plenty of opportunities to voice opinions. Since being brought to the city by proponents in April, the proposed ordinance has been the focus of neighborhood meetings and study sessions, he said.
Under the Longmont ordinance, the number of hens would be kept at four per household and the number of households that can keep hens is limited to 50.
Roosters are banned, and prospective applicants have to adhere to strict requirements on coop sizes and property setbacks. A $30 fee will be charged to keep hens.
The ordinance will be revisited by Dec. 31, 2010.
Fort Collins, too, spent a great deal of time working on its hen ordinance before passing it last fall. Loveland and Boulder have similar ordinances, while Denver allows chickens only on a case-by-case basis.
“We wanted to make sure people had plenty of time to digest the idea,” said Fort Collins chief planner Ted Shepard.
