Addington Highlands To Come Up With Draft Chickens Policy

Craig Bakay | Nov 27, 2024

It appears that Addington Highlands is prepared to make the keeping of backyard chickens legal in settlement areas following a discussion at the regular Council meeting Nov. 19 in Denbigh.

In September, Township staff initiated a survey on the matter and received 219 responses. The majority of the responses were received from residents/property owners in Ward 1 who lived on a parcel of property less than 2 acres (133 if 219).

CAO-Clerk/Treasurer Christine Reed said that 85 per cent of those that completed the survey were in favour of backyard chickens.

“The reasons why were varied but the majority indicated that it was in order to have fresh eggs,” she said.

She said cleanliness standards were considered the most important considerations if guidelines were developed for the keeping of backyard chickens.

Also, 5 per cent of respondents felt that backyard chickens should be permitted on a lot size of 1 acre or less and 59 per cent indicated that more than six chickens should be permitted in residential zones.

“The keeping of chickens is only permitted in the Rural Zone (RU), according to Bylaw 0212/2006, the Zoning Bylaw” she said. “That being said, there increasing instances of chickens being kept on properties other than those with RU zoning.

“Given the results of the survey, Council should consider whether they wish to adopt a policy which would permit the keeping of backyard chickens in residential zones and what should be included in the policy.”

“I think since we put out a survey, we have to address this issue,” said Coun. Kirby Thompson. “I think it’s something where we have to draft a policy, get something in place and amend the bylaw.”

“Judging from the results of the survey, you can see there’s strong support for it,” said Dep. Reeve Tony Fritsch.

Fritsch proposed a committee consisting of a Ward 1 councillor, a Ward 2 Councillor, the bylaw enforcement officer and a staff member be struck to come up with a draft.

But Reed was way ahead of them.

“I’ve already drafted a policy,” Reed said. “It’s been drafted for over a year.

“I just didn’t know how Council wanted to proceed. In Flinton, we’ve been grappling with backyard chickens for some time.

“(But) I would love for two members of Council to sit down and rip it (the policy) apart and come back with a draft we could bring back to Council.”

“I read every comment and it was very colourful reading,” said Coun. Ken Hook. “I think we may have opened a Pandora’s Box here and my concern is that you can’t create a bylaw if you can’t enforce it.”

“Now people will be counting chickens and what if I want a duck?” said Fritsch.

Reed said that having a policy might make enforcement issues easier to deal with as they do get complaints but can’t seem to get the message across that the chickens aren’t allowed.

“I think it would make enforcement a little easier if we could say you can have chickens but in a limited quantity or you have to move your coop back from the lot line or you have to have a manure storage system,” she said.

“One of the biggest concerns is the noise issue,” said bylaw enforcement officer Dave Twiddy. “So hopefully the policy will address the rooster issue.”

Council appointed Thompson and Coun. Helen Yanch to look at the policy.

“I chickened out,” said Hook.

Fruit Trees

While agreeing that applying for a grant to plant fruit-bearing trees was a good idea, Council didn’t feel it had enough time to comply with some of the terms of grant such as suggested locations, some sort of in-house expertise and a maintenance plan. Therefore, it was decided to wait until 2025 to apply. The program has been running since 2012 and appears to be an ongoing thing.

Eurasian Milfoil

Council agreed to have two Council members attend a meeting of the stakeholders to discuss the Eurasian Milfoil in Mazinaw Lake.

Building Report

“This year has been one of ambitious intentions along with an ever-changing atmosphere given the outlook for interest rates and overall health of the economy,” said CBO David Twiddy in his report.

He said the canopy project for the AHCC in Denbigh will be revisited in the new year as they did not receive any tenders.