Municipal officials here have issued three licenses granting residents an exemption to a bylaw prohibiting chicken coops in residential areas.
At the Sept. 29 meeting, council defeated a motion to change the Town of Minto’s exotic animal bylaw to allow a limited number of laying hens in urban areas.
However, council also approved a motion to accept applications, until Oct. 20, for an exemption to the restriction for Minto residents currently raising chickens in a prohibited area.
At the Oct. 20 meeting, CAO Bill White reported that while information on the process was provided to about 20 residents who expressed interest, only three applied for licenses.
Two of the applications came from Clifford residents, while the other was from Harriston.
Among the applicants was Connie Murray of Clifford, whose desire to keep her chickens after a neighbour complained about them led council to consider changing the regulations.
Councillor Mary Lou Colwell asked if the exemptions were only for existing chickens, or if owners could replace them under the license.
CAO Bill White explained the licenses are for one year and are renewable by staff.
“We wouldn’t be coming back to you if we didn’t have a problem,” he explained.
“What if other individuals approached you for a license?” asked Colwell.
“Then they would have to apply to council for another exemption and that would be a decision of council,” White replied.
Noting council made a decision not to allow backyard chicken operations, Colwell said the exemptions should expire along with the existing flocks.
“I’d just like to see a time frame on it,” she stated.
Mayor George Bridge said, “It’s a pretty good compromise actually, for the ones that are already there.”
In a written report, White explained wording in the bylaw means that, at any time, a property owner may request an exemption under the bylaw for any animal, including chickens, unless council removes the exemption provision.
“The exercise this summer was to investigate whether a blanket exemption should apply in all residential areas,” the report notes.
Council passed a motion to grant the three licenses, with only Colwell opposed.
