Addington Highlands To Poll Residents On Backyard Chickens

Craig Bakay | Sep 11, 2024

How do you feel about backyard chickens being allowed in areas zoned residential?

That’s the question Addington Highlands Council decided to ask its residents at its regular meeting Sept. 3 in Flinton.

CAO/Clerk-Treasurer Christine Reed presented Council with a report outlining potential poll questions along with some other potential concerns.

“The keeping of backyard chickens is not permitted (in areas zoned residential),” she said. “That being said, we all know they exist.

“I do believe there is some sentiment that would be in favour of having chickens.”

Earlier in the meeting, Bylaw Enforcement Officer David Twiddy reported that while dogs and garbage are his main concerns, he has been having some issues regarding chickens.

“I’m dealing with three or four issues and one situation in particular,” Twiddy said. “And there seem to be some add-ons lately — roosters especially.

“I’ve had a few questions in the past week ‘why can’t I have chickens’ and the answer is ‘you’re affecting your neighbours’ property and well-being.”

Twiddy said roosters are particularly problematic because they tend to wake neighbours.

Reed said she thought that perhaps they could “gauge the public sentiment by way of a questionnaire that would be made available on the Township website along with some paper copies available at the Township office “(and) I’m here to get Council’s permission to move ahead.”

The questionnaire would contain such questions as:

• Are you in favour of backyard chickens?
• Do you want to have backyard chickens on your property and why?
• What concerns might you have about residents having chickens?
• If guidelines are written, what considerations do you think are most important (cleanliness standards, fenced in yard and enclosed run, roosters, minimum distance and visibility from other houses, licensing and registration, prohibition from selling eggs/birds).

Coun. Ken Hook said that while he liked chickens himself, there was an issue of disease control (salmonella, avian flu, others).

“Once there is food available, you won’t be able to keep wild birds out,” Hook said. “And then there are guidelines that people don’t actually touch the chickens but some people kiss chickens.

“Some children kiss chickens.”

Hook said he’d been researching the subject and came up with 26 cities that allow it, with the City of Kitchener charging an annual $54 fee.

“And the City of St. Thomas held a poll as to who was in favour and found it was split 50-50,” he said. “I think we may end up with more problems.

“But we will get a good read of the people who respond to questions and surveys.”

He was also concerned about enforcement but Reed said it would give the Township more oversight when site visits were conducted to ensure compliance before issuing a permit.

“I like chickens too,” said Coun. Kirby Thompson. “Especially after Col. Sanders is done with them.”

Council approved the drafting of a questionnaire and subsequent posting.

Road 41 Closure

A temporary road closure on County Road 41 didn’t sit well with Coun. Helen Yanch.

The road is scheduled to be closed to traffic (with detours posted) from Erinsville to Kaladar from Sept. 16 to Sept. 25.

“I’m sorry but I think it’s absolutely ridiculous that they are completely closing the road,” Yanch said. “We understand that there’s going to be construction and it’s going to be a little slow but for heaven’s sake keep the road open.

“We need to voice our opinion that we’re not very happy about this.”

Roads and Waste Manager Brett Reavie said that the closure was likely due to the size of the culverts and the depth they’d be required at that would preclude reduction to a single lane or other such measures.

Denbigh Rink

Following a presentation from residents Bonnie Thompson and Peter Mieske on how residents planned to refurbish the Denbigh rink using all volunteer labour and donated materials, Council decided to hold off on applying for a grant from the Community Sport and Recreation Fund as it might be better off applying for the New Build portion of the grant rather than the Repair and Rehabilitation part, which would allow the Township to attach a partial roof and/or building at one end to shield the ice surface from sunlight.

Mieske said that he made a few phone calls and managed to get five companies to commit to donate time and/or materials.

“The only thing we need from the Township is to remove the asphalt and re-grade it,” he said. “The gravel will be supplied.”

Coun. Kirby Thompson estimated that the value of the donated labour and materials would be in the neighbourhood of $95,000.