Urban Chickens

The City Commission will be deciding tonight whether or not to allow chickens in the city.

While I don't have any intentions of raising them, I would much prefer having a few chickens living next door to me than a barking, obnoxious dog.

This is an issue that a few malcontents have blown completely out of proportion. According to an article in Monday's Tribune, other cities in Montana have had few chicken complaints:

Helena - out of 2,510 animal complaints in 2010, 7 involved chickens; chickens running at large; roosters crowing (roosters would not be allowed in Great Falls); other animals trying to break into coops.

Bozeman - 1 chicken complaint last year; chicken got loose and was struck by a vehicle. Owner was warned for having an unrestrained chicken.

Whitefish - No formal complaints since their ordinance went into effect in 2009.

Missoula - 23 calls about chickens in 2010. They included; two calls about abandoned chickens; three calls about injured chickens; two calls about compliance; one call about neglect, and 13 calls reporting stray chickens. Their animal control director does not view chickens as a very big problem. 

It's kind of interesting that the vast majority of these calls are not unique to having chickens. What's the difference between a crowing rooster and an incessant, barking dog, or stray chickens vs. stray dogs and cats?

Neighborhood Councils - Week of May 3, 2010

Two councils are meeting this week:

NC#6

When: Wednesday, May 5 at 7:00pm

Where: The music room at Sunnyside Elementary

Agenda:
* Info. from Public Works concerning the proposed special improvement district for paving and sidewalks at 11th, 20th and 21st Avenues South
* Info. on urban chickens
* Committee reports

* Neighborhood concerns

NC#3

When: Thursday, May 6 at 7:00pm

Where: Cafeteria at Riverview Elementary

Agenda:
* Info. on proposed annexation of the Great Bear Innovation Industrial Park
* Info. on urban chickens

* Committee reports

* Neighborhood concerns

Neighborhood Councils - Week of May 17, 2010

Two meetings take place this week:

NC#5
When: Monday, May 17 at 7:00pm

Where: GF Clinic Specialty Center, conference room

Agenda:
Discussion about urban chickens

Information about changes in the Community Development office

Committee reports

Neighborhood concerns

NC#8

When: Thursday, May 20 at 6:00pm

Where: GF Prerelease Center, women's annex

Agenda:
Discussion about urban chickens

Information about changes in the Community Development office

Sheriff candidates Glen Stinar and Bob Edwards

Committee reports

Neighborhood concerns

Urban Chickens

Earlier this summer, there was discussion at all of the Neighborhood Councils about allowing chickens within the city limits.

As a member of Neighborhood Council, I received notice yesterday that the City Commission has instructed the Planning/Community Development Department to not proceed any further with pursuing an urban chicken ordinance. All paperwork will be retained, if in the event, the issue is revisited.

Neighborhood Councils - Week of May 13, 2013

Three councils are meeting this week:

NC#7
When: Monday, May 13 at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Civic Center, Gibson Room

Agenda:
CPO and BRIC Officer Kimmet
Urban Chicken Petition - Aaron Pursell
Committee reports

Neighborhood concerns

NC#1

When: Tuesday, May 14 at 7:00 p.m.

Where: Meadowlark School Library

Agenda:

Community Policing – Officer Lundberg
GFPD Volunteer Coordinator – Samantha Huffman
Petition for placing urban chickens on the ballot – Aaron Pursell
Legislator Steve Fitzpatrick
Congressman Daines’ local representative Kari Kent  

Committee reports

Neighborhood concerns

NC#8

When: Thursday, May 16 at 6:00 p.m.

Where: Great Falls Transition Center, Women's Annex

Agenda:
Community Policing Officer Palmer
GFPS School Trustee Bob Moretti 

Committee reports

Neighborhood concerns

Neighborhood Councils - Week of May 24, 2010

Only one council is meeting this week:

NC#4
When: Thursday, May 27 at 6:30pm

Where: Heritage Baptist Church, 900 52nd Street North

Agenda:
Good Neighbor Award to Roger and Bonnie Lane

Discussion of urban chickens

Information on city code enforcement by Heather Rohlf

Committee reports

Neighborhood concerns

Neighborhood Councils - Week of June 14, 2010

Two councils are meeting this week:

NC#7
When: Monday, June 14 at 7:00pm
Where: NeighborWorks - 509 1st Avenue South

Agenda:
Downtown traffic flow
Parking problems
Urban chickens
Results of a traffic study recommending the speed limit near Whittier School be 25 mph
Committee reports
Neighborhood concerns

NC#8
When: Thursday, June 17 at 6:00pm
Where: Great Falls Prerelease Center, Women's annex

Agenda:
Cascade County Commission candidate Johnny Walker
Committee reports
Neighborhood concerns

Neighborhood Councils - Week of June 7, 2010

Three councils are meeting this week:

NC#1
When: Tuesday, June 8 at 7:00pm
Where: Bethel Lutheran Church, 1009 18th Avenue S.W.

Agenda:
Update on urban chickens
Committee reports
Neighborhood concerns

NC#2
When: Wednesday, June 9 at 7:00pm
Where: Knights of Columbus Hall, 906 Central Ave. West

Agenda:
Update on the planning process for West Bank Park
Committee reports
Neighborhood concerns

NC#9
When: Thursday, June 10 at 7:00pm
Where: Camp Fire Office, 1925 2nd Avenue South

Agenda:
Update on community development from building official Terre Gift
Committee reports
Neighborhood concerns