Brentwood Public Works in Favor of Chickens, But No Vote Taken Yet

Brentwood could be on its way to joining neighboring cities in allowing backyard chickens.

At Wednesday's Public Works Committee meeting, council members Andy Leahy (Ward 3), Cindy Manestar (Ward 2), Keith Robertson (Ward 3) and Maureen Saunders (Ward 1) discussed allowing chickens in Brentwood, and all were in favor of it.

Brentwood resident Angie Hulshoff, in the 8700 block of Rosalie Avenue, had chickens for three years before she was notified by the city that she was breaking city code.

She said before she got the chickens a city official told her it was OK, and hadn't had a complaint the whole time.

The Board of Aldermen voted on Jan. 7 to allow her to keep her chickens, while putting a moratorium on any more coming into the city. Then the board sent it to the Public Works Committee for review.

At Wednesday's public works meeting, at Manestar's suggestion, the committee decided to let Hulshoff make recommendations for a Brentwood ordinace allowing chickens.

City Administrator Bola Akande gave Hulshuff copies of chicken ordinances for Webster Groves, Clayton and Rock Hill for reference. Maplewood also allows chickens.

Hulshoff said she is inclined to keep it simple.

"The less restrictions that there are the better," she said. "We have so many codes already that cover a lot of the issues that can come up.

"It looks good. We're getting closer," she said.

Also in Patch:

• Blog: Brentwood Chicken Keeper Wants to Overturn No-Chicken Ordinance
• Brentwood Public Works Talks Specifics on a Chicken Ordinance
• 5 Chickens in a Brentwood Backyard for 3 Years: Owner Just Learned They're not Allowed
• Chicken-Keepers Flock to Maplewood Chickenfest