Urban Chickens P U B L I C P A R T I C I P A T I O N R E P O R T

Transcription

1 Urban Chickens P U B L I C P A R T I C I P A T I O N R E P O R T October 2018

2 Table of Contents 1. Background 1 2. The Survey 1 3. Stakeholder Engagement 1 4. Communications 1 5. Moving Forward 1 6. Survey Results 2 Appendix A: Information Form/Feedback Survey

3 1. Background In August 2018, Innisfail Town Council directed administration to seek public input on the keeping of urban chickens in Innisfail. The move to do so arrived in light of a delegation request in May 2018, and findings were to be reported back at a later date. A public participation plan was developed and executed accordingly, with the decision to be made outlined as follows: By Oct. 23, 2018, the Town of Innisfail will determine whether Animal Control Bylaw should be revisited to consider permitting the keeping of urban chickens in Innisfail. 2. The Survey A stakeholder feedback survey comprised the primary component of the Urban Chickens Public Participation Plan. The survey, offered both online and in print, was conducted between Sept. 19 and Oct. 17. The survey s results would help the Town determine whether the keeping of urban chickens was deemed favourable or detrimental among stakeholders: If one supported urban chickens, what was his or her preferred number of licenses and chickens per capita and licensee, respectively? If one opposed urban chickens, what were his or her primary reasons for doing so? In total, 627 responses were collected over the course of the survey period. This number reflects, and is inclusive of, responses received both online and in print. Stakeholders were invited to submit their surveys via one of the following means: (1) Online at chickens; (2) In person at the Town Office; (3) By scanning and ing them to feedback@innisfail.ca; or (4) By faxing them to the Town Office. Respondents were not required to identify themselves in order to participate in the survey. As a result, all feedback was received anonymously. 3. Stakeholder Engagement Stakeholders were engaged by various means throughout the public participation process, and invitations to complete the feedback survey were extended publicly on various occasions. Information Form/Feedback Survey: Information detailing the public participation process was mailed to every home and business in Innisfail in early-october A form containing the information was inserted into property owners monthly utility bills, with the print feedback survey included on the reverse. Stakeholder Outreach: Copies of the information form/ feedback survey were mailed directly to representatives of various stakeholder groups, including, but not limited to: Realtors, law enforcement officials, veterinarians, and various animal-related retailers/service providers. 4. Communications The Town utilized various means of communication to raise awareness of both the urban chickens feedback survey and its associated public participation process. External messaging also communicated the avenues through which feedback was being solicited. Town Voice: Notices and information were posted regularly in the Town Voice the Town s full-page colour advertisement in the Innisfail Province weekly newspaper. Social Media: Notices and information were posted regularly through the Town s Facebook and Twitter streams. Website: A website landing page and unique URL (www. innisfail.ca/chickens) were created specifically for the public participation process. An online feedback form, a Q&A and project updates were all accessible via the page as was a link to the online survey. Utility Bill Newsletters: Project information was included in October 2018 Town utility bill newsletters, sent to all homes and businesses in Innisfail. Local Media: A media release detailing the public participation process was sent to local media outlets. 5. Moving Forward The results of the survey were scheduled to be presented to Innisfail Town Council on Oct. 22, Council at that time was expected to either: (1) Provide direction to administration to draft bylaw amendments that would permit the keeping of urban chickens in Innisfail; (2) Provide direction to administration to maintain the status quo (or prohibition of urban chickens in Innisfail); or (3) Delay any such decision on the matter pending further inquiry and/or the collection of further information. Project updates were to be published via the Town s various media streams. Urban Chickens Public Participation Plan 1

4 6. Survey Results 1. Are you in favour of allowing urban chickens in Innisfail? 2. If you answered Yes to Question #1, what do you feel is the maximum number of urban chicken licenses (allowing an individual to own a specified number of chickens) that should be issued town-wide? 2 Urban Chickens Public Participation Plan

5 3. If you answered Yes to Question #1, how many chickens do you feel each licensed holder should be permitted to keep? 4. If you answered No to Question #1, what are your primary concerns with allowing urban chickens? (Select all that apply) Urban Chickens Public Participation Plan 3

6 5. Are you a resident of the Town of Innisfail? 6. Please provide any further comments you may have on the matter:* *50 (of 337) responses selected at random (using an electronic random number generator) 1. I live in innisfail and a former neighbor of mine had chickens. I like the noise of chickens and I felt they were harmless, however I know they can be smelly, so enforcement would be difficult if you had someone that didn t keep good care of them. 2. Much quieter than dogs 3. Coming from a farm that raised chickens they are stinky and filthy! 4. Not in town. 5. Get them out of town. 6. Don t believe any bigger problem than dogs. 7. I don t see the problem. There is no smell if kept clean. 8. A chicken does not make a noise like the dogs in town. It doesn t spray on neighbours windows and doors. If banning chickens then ban dogs and cats as well. A chicken supplies healthy food. 9. Do not see a problem with my neighbours having chickens. Also if it becomes a problem the Town has the ability to change the law. 4 Urban Chickens Public Participation Plan

7 10. Chickens are quiet for the most part and provide eggs for the owners and can be happy. Seeing the owners caring for them like regular pets. 11. Chickens are cool but shouldn t be in town. They carry diseases. 12. Do chickens carry salmonella? In their poop, yes they do and it spreads. Look on the computer as to what it says. No chickens in town, please. 13. Could cause issues for rental properties 14. if approved have restrictions to adjoining property of 3 meters and controls on chicken coops to avoid unsightly sheds,trailers etc. 15. I know families in Innisfail who have had chickens. They have been WAY less bothersome than the large dogs that are left outside to bark around my neighborhood and create such a nuisance. Keep the roosters on the farm, but hens are no problem. 16. They are the stinkiest thing and where do all their droppings go. I ve been a farmer for years and they sure don t belong in town. 17. I feel this works be a great step forward for local sustainability 18. chickens are great for keeping insect population down but they should not have free run of the place. They should be banded and the band numbers be used same as dog or cat tags. A reasonable (one time) fee for each band (as bands cannot be replaced as easily as tags). Chicks are not to be banded until 4 months old. Hens only...no ROOSTERS. NO SLAUGHTERING OF BIRDS INSIDE TOWN LIMITS. 19. We don t feel it is necessary to have chickens in the back yard in Innisfail. 20. My only concern would be that the chickens are in a safe and warm environment and have adequate food and water at all times. That is, they should be treated humanely. 21. Please take into consideration, how allowing urban chickens will impact neighbors - just as how allowing cannabis will impact neighbors. People who want to raise a few chickens need to look at living a rural lifestyle. 22. All pets will create a certain level of mess and noise. However, when well cared for, chickens don t create any more issues than dogs or cats which we readily allow in town. I can t think of any logical reason why we would prevent owners from raising a few chickens in town. 23. Even though I think they should be allowed, there should be no exceptions to other bylaws (noise, unsightly property, etc.) 24. Chickens are cool :) 25. Normally this survey shouldn t even exist. 26. I don t see a harm in them. They are pets and family memebers!! I say let them have the chickens 27. Chickens and other such are for farms to raise and care for 28. With the rise in market prices it would be nice to more self sufficient. Lots of people can t afford acreage but still want to be self sufficient. People shouldn t be banned for wanting to live a simpler life style. 29. There is no reason not to let people keep chickens if done correctly Urban Chickens Public Participation Plan 5

8 30. I am worried these people as unaware of the safety requirements for handling manure. Where are they getting rid of the feces? Compost, garbage, lawn clipping bag? 31. We believe the town residents have enough problems with cat and dog control that adding chickens would create more unnecessary problems. 32. I have raised chickens, turkeys and pheasants in the past and have found them to be not only a source of meat and eggs but can be fed a lot of table scraps and in return they give you a great fertilizer. They are a great teaching tool for kids to learn about biology and caring and a calming effect. Encouraging people to grow and raise their own food helps families afford good quality nutrition. 33. Let residents have chickens if they want to. 34. We should be able to at least try this, just like other communities have. 35. as long as the chickens are maintained properly and kept clean and has manditory inspections from the town. it would be great. 36. I live inred Deer and we have urban chickens and they seem to be no concern and actually a nice way for families to learn about raising animals and respecting where food comes from. 37. Chickens lay eggs, eggs are good. Roosters are bad! 38. Chickens belong on a farm. They re noisy and stink. 39. Bring em on! No roosters though. 40. chickens are not noisy and as long as there kept in a clean environment where is the harm. 41. I think they should be allowed as they are quiet and do not smell at all, as there isn t a huge amount in one property like a farm. Cats and dogs are no different pets then chickens. I see no harm to anyone in having chickens as pets. 42. not needed in a town, if you want livestock live on a farm. 43. We should encourage urban food consumption. I have barking dogs for neighbors and would take hens ANY DAY rooster and 2 egg laying hens. 45. Former Innisfail Residents and would liked to have chickens 46. Have to have proper chicken coop Human treatment and in off space 47. I think we should be able to own some chickens. 48. I had chickens in innisfail. I asked my neighbours they were good with it. It was a good experience for my kids and my family fresh wholesome food. No smell no noise. Better than dogs 49. I think allowing residents of Innisfail to have a few back yard chickens is a wonderful idea, as long as they are responsible owners and keep their coops clean. But no roosters! 50. Should not have number of licenses per persons, but those that can care for chickens (no roosters, noise control) and want to offset grocery costs for eggs or to teach their children where some food comes from. Great bug control. 6 Urban Chickens Public Participation Plan

9 Appendix A: Information Form/Feedback Survey Urban Chickens Public Participation Plan 7

10 Appendix A: Information Form/Feedback Survey 8 Urban Chickens Public Participation Plan