Oklahoma City Council to separate proposed regulations regarding chickens in city from plan intended to support urban agriculture amid concerns from residents

Nevin Barich

OKLAHOMA CITY , December 6, 2013 (Associated Press) – CHICKENS SEPARATED FROM PLAN TO UPGRADE OKLAHOMA CITY CODES REGARDING URBAN AGRICULTURE

Concerns from residents prompted the Oklahoma City Council to separate proposed regulations regarding chickens in the city from a plan intended to support urban agriculture.

The Journal Record reports (http://bit.ly/18ogp3j) that the council decided Tuesday to consider chickens in the city as a separate matter after hearing from residents concerned about noise and odor.

The city Planning Department, working with the city's Office of Sustainability, the city legal staff and the Development Services Department, crafted the ordinance in an effort to establish a framework that supports agricultural activities, ensures they are compatible in an urban environment and defines enforceable conditions.

City Manager Jim Couch said the proposal was a result of interest in farmers' markets, food cooperatives, raising small animals such as goats and fish, and creating sites to be used for neighborhood crop production.

It would have allowed up to six hens — no roosters — in zoned urban yards of less than 1 acre as long as they were kept in coops behind houses and at least 10 feet from property lines.

Resident Sara Braden said she was reluctant to admit it, but she already keeps a few pet chickens for their eggs.

"A chicken clucking is about 70 decibels, which is no louder than two people talking," she said. By comparison, a typical barking dog has been measured at up to 100 decibels, "and you don't see people complaining about that," she said.

As for odors, Braden said, "Six chickens together don't produce even close to the amount of poop a dog produces."

City Planning Department Director Russell Claus, who recently announced plans to resign, said he was raised on a chicken farm in Australia and was somewhat surprised by the public opposition.

"This seems to be an issue of fur and feathers, and there have been a lot more problems caused by furry animals than those with feathers," he said after the weekly council meeting.

Another consideration is rainwater harvesting, which would be regulated to prevent infestations of pests such as mosquitoes.

The topic, now split into two ordinance proposals, was scheduled for further public discussion Dec. 17, with a vote expected Dec. 31.

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Information from: The Journal Record, http://www.journalrecord.com

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Information from: The Journal Record, http://www.journalrecord.com

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