The Westville Village Board has voted to amend an ordinance allowing chickens to be raised within the town. Bill Pickett has more.
The vote was four to two in favor of amending an existing ordinance which – although it was approved in 1994 – has not been enforced.
During a packed meeting at St. Mary’s Community Center, board members heard both pro and con arguments on allowing hens to be raised in the village limits….
{AUDIO: “I mean I don’t know if anybody has been to the store lately – but eggs are expensive. Chickens expensive. So, if they can do this, and it isn’t hurting anybody, I guess I don’t see the point. If you didn’t understand I am for the chickens.”}
{AUDIO: “I’m against it. It could be outside of the city. I’ve got critters all over Urban Drive. I’ve got raccoons right now. They’re going to be looking for these chickens – I’m telling you. I don’t see it in the city limits. I’m sorry. That’s my opinion.”}
Westville resident Rick Jones offered a suggestion….
{AUDIO: “I just want to state that I’m against the chickens. And I think it would be fair to put it on the ballot for April. That way the majority of the people of Westville could vote on it.”
Instead of waiting for a spring referendum, village board members approved changes to the ordinance during last night’s (Wednesday’s) meeting.
Those changes include:
- The number of licenses allowing chickens to be raised within the village will be 30. The board can review the number of licenses from time to time. And only up to 15 hens will be allowed…no roosters.
- There will be a one-time inspection fee of $25 and if there are no violations during the year the registration can be renewed free of charge.
- A section giving neighbors the right to deny a person’s right to raise chickens was stricken from the ordinance.
- If more than 30 people apply for a permit a lottery will determine who gets them.
- The application deadline for requesting a permit is December 1st.
