Chickens ordinance approved

Chickens are officially legal in the Town of Windsor for one more year.

During last Monday’s regular town board meeting, the board voted 5-2 to approve on second reading the ordinance extending chicken-keeping in town.

The newly extended ordinance will be back up for discussion next year at this time, when it’s set to sunset again if not extended.

“I can’t support the sunset clause in this ordinance,” said Mayor John Vazquez. “That’s why I’m opposing this ordinance.”

Board member Don Shanfelt, who had concerns about the health issues potentially caused by the chickens, cast the other no vote.

“I’m impressed with the responsibility of the citizens who keep chickens, but I would feel better if we’d heard from someone at CSU Extension,” Shanfelt said.

The chicken-keeping issue has been at times contentious.

A proposal to allow the raising of backyard chickens inside town limits was brought to the board during a meeting in April 2010 by Jared and Ashley Schwader. The couple put together a packet of information that debunked myths and suggested regulations for keeping chickens.

The ordinance allowed residents to keep up to six hens, but no roosters, per property in town. Other requirements include the size of coops and neighbor notification if the coop is going to be located less than 15 feet from the property line.

The ordinance was set to sunset Jan. 1. So at the Nov. 7 work session, the town board took a look at the ordinance and agreed on a couple of changes.

The first change defined a chicken as a bird of a certain species from the moment of its birth, to clear up confusion over whether a non-laying chicken was still a chicken.

The second change dealt with coop removal if a chicken-keeping permit was revoked or the owner ceased keeping chickens for six months.

The sunset clause also was retained, meaning the board would discuss whether to keep chickens in town for another year in Nov. 2012.

However, at the Nov. 14 regular meeting, Vazquez, who was not present at the work session, became concerned that there was no provision for chicken-keepers to raise chicks. He also was displeased the sunset clause would remain, calling it unnecessary.

The board agreed to table the ordinance at that time and look at the original version again later.

The version that passed on first reading on Nov. 28 is the same as the one the board approved last year that keeps the number of chickens allowed at six. It has no exceptions for chicks and keeps the sunset clause, meaning the board will consider this ordinance again next year.

The one change made was to bring the maximum fine for violations up to $1,000, which is in keeping with the rest of the fines charged since the town made the transition to a court of record.

Three members of the public also spoke on the chicken issue.

“My wife and I got a permit this spring and have four chickens,” said Ted Hollman. “I don’t think the sunset clause is necessary because the board can address this ordinance at any time.”

Jon Bork also supports the town allowing chickens.

“I oppose the sunset but support the idea of having a greener, more sustainable way to live,” he said.

John Howton was also pro-chicken.

“I fundamentally have issues with people telling me what I can and can’t have on my three-acre property,” he said.