Chicken Ordinance Withdrawn

Before I begin, allow me a moment to explain how passing an ordinance in Pierre works. When an ordinance comes before Commission, a Commissioner needs to give it first reading. Then, and only then, can the ordinance go ahead to a second reading and public hearing.

I chose to withdraw the chicken ordinance from before Commission tonight, after talking to other organizing committee members,  because I had serious doubts that the ordinance would get a first reading. No first reading means no second reading and no public hearing

My decision was based on a conversation I had with a Commissioner who had tentatively indicated that he would consider giving the ordinance first reading. However, when he read through the ordinance he realized he could not support the ordinance as written as, in his opinion, there were too many points of legitimate opposition.

And, quite frankly, I appreciate that he contacted us BEFORE the Commission meeting and gave us a head's up about where he was at. He did not have to do that since he had not promised anyone anything. It would have been a real punch in the gut if we had proceeded and when the Mayor asked a Commissioner to give first reading, no one responded. THAT would have been really bad. 

In short, I was not willing to risk the ordinance being shut down at first reading.

Psychologically, an ordinance that has never been before Commission has a different perception than one that has been before Commission and could not make it past first reading.

This is a tactical withdrawal, not a retreat. We will submit an ordinance at a later date, most likely after the first of the year.

Anyway, thank you for reading this far. If you are disappointed, upset or mad, I get it. Believe me, I get it. I'm not exactly dancing in the street at the moment here myself. 

But change happens slowly and rarely without conflict and setbacks.

Please continue to stand with us. We will look at resubmitting the ordinance in either January or February of 2014.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Thank you for your support and hard work. 

The actual ordinance

This is the draft of the ordinance that will go before City Commission. First reading is tonight, Nov 26.

The second reading and most importantly the public hearing, is Tuesday December 3. We invite everyone who supports the ordinance to attend and speak up by showing up.

Your presence matters.
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Proposed Ordinance to Allow the Keeping of Hens within Pierre City Limits

The following changes to the City of Pierre municipal code to permit a small backyard flock of no more than six hens within the city limits of Pierre on non-agricultural land.

1. Revise Chapter 8

Section 8-2-114.  Unlawful to keep animals or fowl within the city.

No person shall place, keep or maintain any live swine, horses, cows, goats, sheep, llamas, prairie dogs, primates, snakes, ducks, geese, chickens or other domestic fowl except Gallus gallus domesticus(domestic chickens) pursuant to Chapter 10 Article 3 Section X, except on property zoned agriculture, and in accordance with the conditions of Chapter 12, Article 4, Agricultural District, or any wild mammal, reptile or fowl which is not naturally tame or gentle, but is of a wild nature or disposition, and which because of its size, vicious nature or other characteristics would constitute a danger to human life or property if it escaped from secure quarters, within the limits of the city.

Source:  R.O. Pierre, 1957, 9.0902; Ord. No. 655, 1957; Rev. of Ord., 1990; Ord. 1357, 1994; Ord. 1376, 1996; Ord. 1378, 1996.

2.   Revise Chapter 10 Article 3 to include

(a) The keeping of hens on any private land in the city shall not be on a scale creating a nuisance.

(b) Regarding keeping domestic fowl of the order Galliformes in the genus of Gallus (chickens):

(1) A maximum of six hens  may be kept on private land within city limits.

(2) Roosters are prohibited.
(3) Hens should be provided a coop that is of sufficient size and construction to protect them from predators.
(4) Hens must remain on their owner’s property or on private property with the permission of the property owner. Hens must be appropriately caged when off of permitted private property.
(5) Coops should be set back from the property line at a distance of three (3) feet.
(6) Residents who own hens must notify the city in writing within 30 days of procuring hens.

The Importance of Showing Up

On Tuesday Dec 3, the city of Pierre will be holding a public hearing on the chicken ordinance. At this time, Commissioners will be hearing comments from the public about why Pierre should (and should not) allow citizens to keep up to 6 hens within city limits.

Quite frankly, our most compelling, passionate, heartfelt speeches in support of an ordinance won't mean much without visible proof that this is something that people in Pierre want. If we have the Commission room packed - and by packed I mean standing room only, overflow into the hallway, out to the sidewalk full - that will speak more loudly than anything I or anyone else can say.

We need you to fill the room. We need you to make the visible, tangible, irrefutable statement that people support this ordinance. You don't have to come to the podium as your presence will speak volumes.

Bring the kids. If they can sit through a church service, they can sit through a Commission meeting. Feed them a piece of fruit and glass of milk beforehand  since dinner will be late. It will be a good lesson about standing up for what you believe as well as a good civics lesson.

Bring your friends. Bring your family. Remind them to the point where you feel you are seriously endangering the quality of your Christmas present. Text, email, Facebook.

This won't happen without you. I'm not being dramatic. I'm stating a fact. If you support an ordinance, you will need to show up.

Chickens as a Desirability Measure

I saw an acquaintance last night who is pro-chicken. She's so pro-chicken, in fact, that she has offered to speak before City Commission when the time comes. We visited a bit about her views and she confirmed something suggested by research data*.

She said one of the reasons she is supporting a chicken ordinance is that this is something that people (she didn't say who, exactly; my guess would be her cohort which would be the younger demographic) are increasingly expecting from a community. There is an expectation that a community will have a farmer's market (check), an active transportation culture (in progress, so check) and a chicken ordinance (fingers crossed).

If you look at the research of the Millennial Generation, the next new consumer co-hort after the Baby Boomers and Gen Y's, you will see that they are socially and environmentally minded. (Cone Inc, 2006).  Couple this with the research released in April by the USDA (2013) that urban chickens are strongly supported by young people, you can connect the dots to see that a reasonable, responsible chicken ordinance would be an attractive thing to a young workforce.

Chickens are a workforce development issue.

Keep in mind that in that same USDA study, less than 2% of households actually had chickens. Chicken ownership however was supported by over 60% of the younger demographic.

Consider this scenario: a Millenial aged, educated woman is offered a job in St. Paul and a job in Pierre. Which is she going to choose? Money will probably be the first consideration. But after the money, then what? Most likely the quality of life will figure strongly into her decision. A chicken ordinance is part of that package of attributes that signals that Pierre is an open, forward thinking community that offers something for the Millennial Generation.






*We've all had the experience of hearing what the research says about a topic and having our personal experience be opposite. The reason for that is that research talks about populations and not individuals.

 The Cone 2006 Millennial Cause Study. The Millennial Generation: Prosocial and Empowered to Change the World. Cone Inc and AMP Agency.  http://www.centerforgiving.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=9cKyEls7NXg%3D&tabid=102&mid=477 Last accessed 11/24/2013.

Urban Chicken Ownership in Four U.S. Cities. April 2013. USDA. #661.0413 http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/nahms/poultry/downloads/poultry10/Poultry10_dr_Urban_Chicken_Four.pdf Last accessed June 21, 2013

Local Hens

Somehow, I'm not quite sure exactly how, I get emails and even postal mail encouraging me to contact my elected officials about Issues of National Importance.

I will be the first to admit that a chicken ordinance for Pierre is not an Issue of National Importance. In fact, I think we would be hard pressed to make the case that it was of regional importance. What it is, however, is locally important.

The people of Pierre care about this issue and we must absolutely communicate this to our elected officials. Quite literally, there is no one else who will.

We expect Commission to do a first public reading of the ordinance soon. The PUCkR organizing group wants to be sure that every Commissioner and the Mayor is aware that there is strong citizen support for the ordinance before then. They can stop the ordinance moving forward at the first reading. We don't think they will but we'd rather not take that chance.

We anticipate that the Mayor will announce the date of the public hearing at the first reading. We will need EVERYONE to show up for public hearing. Please watch this blog or our Facebook page  for info about when the public hearing will be held.

Your presence will speak volumes.  If you don't, who will? It's not like we are planning on busing in the group from Onida who will advocate for chickens. It is up to us.

The chicken ordinance would provide that residents be permitted to keep up to 6 hens, no roosters. A predator proof coop must be provided on the property and must be set back 3 feet from the property line. Chickens have to remain on private property and be appropriately caged or restrained when off. All other noise, sanitation and nuisance ordinances apply.

This ordinance is clear and enforceable but will allow responsible people to keep chickens for food, for a hobby, or for companionship of a pet. If you think Pierre citizens should be able to keep chickens, voice your support today!

Chicken Ordinance: Show Your Support!

The chicken ordinance is moving ahead! We expect to make definitive progress on this within the next month.

Before we stand up before the Commission we want to be sure that there is NO doubt in our Commissioners' minds that there is an active, vocal, engaged group that STRONGLY supports chickens in Pierre.

In talking with some of our elected officials, I have discovered that recent press coverage has resulted in at least one of them receiving calls  at a rate of 10 against chickens for every 1 (one) in favor. I assume other commissioners are getting similar input.

Our elected officials are not hearing the pro-chicken perspective. I'm not trying to be an alarmist or sensationalist but the next three weeks really are critical for making our points and conveying the message chickens are good for Pierre.

I know we all have causes that call us to action. We wonder if our calls or emails will make a difference. In this case, I can tell you YES, it makes a difference. This is our town. If we don't say we want chickens in Pierre, who will?

Here is what you can do:

1. Write a letter to the editor. We have tips below.

2. Talk to your friends, co-workers and family about why YOU support chickens in Pierre. Get at least 2-3 people who support chickens and make it your mission to recruit them to action.

3. Contact the city commissioners.  Make your voice heard. Phone, email, write them an old fashioned letter. You can get their contact info here: http://ci.pierre.sd.us/Directory.aspx?did=6

4. Keep an eye on local media (paper, radio, PUCkR Facebook page, this blog). The Mayor will be making an announcement about when the ordinance will go before Commission in the next few weeks IF all goes well. Commission meetings are Tuesday nights at 5:30. Keep the next few weeks, at least, open.

This is real, folks. This is grassroots action. It won't happen without you but it can happen BECAUSE of you.

You are needed.