Coronado resident Leslie Crawford has been working with the City of Coronado to figure out a way to allow her hens to stay in her backyard – even though there is an ordinance that does not allow hobby hens to be kept in Coronado. The following is an update from Councilwoman Barbara Denny regarding this issue as is played out at City Council last night.
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Unanimous consent of council for Barbara Denny’s suggestion to have staff look deeper into the matter to see if it’s reasonable and feasible to change our municipal ordinance to allow for ownership of mature hobby hens — not roosters or chicks — taking into consideration the valid concerns of residents regarding noise and public health.
Meanwhile, The Snowflakes (hens) will be moved off of the island while Council decides whether they can return to live with Mrs. Leslie Crawford.
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Councilwoman Barbara Denny’s
Agenda item # 13 A
Council Agenda 20 Sept 2011
Good afternoon.
As you know, I am not afraid to ruffle a few feathers at city hall to make our government more responsive to the needs of our residents.
That is why I placed this matter on our council agenda today in direct response to the request by resident Leslie Crawford who made an outstanding appearance at our last council meeting, accompanied by a clutch of her supporters.
You will recall that Mrs. Crawford raised the ultimate question: “Will she continue to have omelets for breakfast or will it be roasted chicken for dinner?”
Upon egg-zamination of the facts, it might be a good idea to think about the possibility of changing our policy to allow a few small mature chickens on our island as hobby hens.
Fluffy little hens lay fresh eggs to help residents save grocery money, which makes them very egg-conomical.
Chickens also provide chemical-free bug removal because one man’s pest is another chicken’s snack. Therefore hens make an egg-xtraordinary contribution by reducing pesticides in our municipal water runoff to the ocean.
Research reveals that most officials in our region don’t run around and shout “The sky is falling” because their residents keep hens.
Indeed, with reasonable restrictions for public health and safety, chickens absolutely are welcome and appreciated in Carlsbad, Chula Vista, Del Mar, Encinitas, La Mesa, National City, San Diego City, San Diego County and Solana Beach.
Only Coronado and Imperial Beach are too chicken to allow our fine, feathered friends to live in harmony with residents.
It seems reasonable to consider the possibility of a pro-hobby hen policy change if, and only if, it’s feasible to do so in Coronado.
In my experience over the last two weeks, with people approaching me and me reaching out to ask how people feel about it, most people are egg-xcited about a possible change in our municipal ordinance. In my experience, public opinion is running 9 out of 10 people in favor of limited hobby hen ownership.
As of this date, the residents who cried “fowl,” while in the minority, nonetheless have very valid concerns about animal noise and public health and safety. I think these are valid concerns that should be a part of our meaningful community discussion of this matter.
To be clear about potential noise, I do not recommend allowing the old boys to rule the roost in Coronado. Mrs. Crawford isn’t asking to keep roosters on her property, which are indeed noisy. She’s asking to
keep her two mature hens, named The Snowflakes.
Also, matters such as viruses are indeed a health concern with poultry, especially with little chicks. Although to be clear, Mrs. Crawford isn’t asking to raise chicks on her property. She’s asking to keep her mature hobby hens, The Snowflakes, and she understands that their good health is her responsibility.
Instead of rushing to force the Snowflakes to fly their coop, I’d like us here at city hall to take the opportunity to really listen to residents about this land use issue because it, too, involves property rights — the property rights of Coronado hen advocates.
Mr. Chair, after we brood and chatter over this property rights item, I’ll be pleased to make the motion at the appropriate time.
All puns aside, I would like to hear more of the same kind of respectful and thoughtful community input that we heard so far, and thank you to those who spoke, and then hear from city staff before we consider making any changes in our municipal ordinance. It appears to be the reasonable thing to do at this time.
The decision was to send it back to city staff for more information. Since Imperial Beach recently adopted a “chicken law,” Coronado is the only city in San Diego County where chickens are not currently allowed. It appears that “The Snowflakes” may need to go on an extended vacation. Watch the live stream of the September 20, 2011 City Council Meeting to see this item (13A).
