Chickens Are 1 Step Closer to Brentwood Backyards

Brentwood is a step closer to following many cities surrounding it, as of yesterday’s Public Works Committee meeting. The committee voted to recommend to the board of aldermen that residents be allowed to keep backyard chickens.

The vote was 3-1 with Cindy Manestar (Ward 2), Keith Robertson (Ward 3) and Maureen Saunders (Ward 1) voting yes and Andy Leahy (Ward 3) voting no.

Resident Angie Hulshoff has kept chickens in her backyard for three years thinking they were allowed. When she found out differently she pushed for an ordinance to allow it.

City Administrator Bola Akande and Lisa Koerkenmeier, a planning consultant for the city, wrote the proposed ordinance with input from Brentwood residents who would like to see it pass. Backyard chicken ordinances from Clayton, Kirkwood, Maplewood, Richmond Heights, Rock Hill, University City and Webster Groves were also referred to.

Leahy made several points in the discussion.

• It’s the one to 10 percent who get into this and don’t do it right that will ruin it for everybody.
• If wiring is needed it needs to be done as a permitted arraignment.
• Shade and location is important, and the owner has the responsibility to know about this type of pet.
• Because we're talking about an outdoor animal, reinspection of the facilities to help maintain they are kept up properly are important. If we don’t do a reinspection then the city will have to wait for a complaint. If there is a complaint, does that authorize the inspector to go on the property, or does the inspector have to notify the homeowner to get permission to go on the property to inspect the facility?
• Because we’re talking about somebody’s hobby or pet, you can’t use terms like excessive noise, or safe and sanitary. We need to be very definitive, and not subjective, because people could contest notices and drag it out even further.

Manestar said the city doesn't want people to buy a couple of chickens and not have a place for them to stay, which is why a permit is important.

"I think that the majority of people that want chickens know what they have to do," she said.

Robertson said the evidence they've heard is that chickens don’t make noise; roosters do but not chickens.

"I think the bill addresses pretty much everything. Let’s not get too legislative about people's backyards," Robertson said.

More on chickens in Brentwood in Patch:

• 5 Chickens in a Brentwood Backyard for 3 Years: Owner Just Learned They're not Allowed
• Brentwood Public Works Talks Specifics on a Chicken Ordinance