Chickens okayed for rural Leamington

At the most recent council meeting on October 24, Leamington Council approved a zoning by-law amendment to allow chickens and fowl on A-5 zoned properties in Leamington.

Previously, chickens and fowl were only allowed to be kept on agriculturally-zoned properties. The A-5 designation takes into account properties zoned Agricultural-residential.

No urban properties are included in the by-law amendment, which means that chickens cannot be kept in town.

Deputy Mayor Larry Verbeke asked about inquiries he’s had regarding keeping chickens on Erie Street. 

“Please explain the difference between A-5 and urban properties,” he said.

Spencer Phillips from the town planning department told the deputy mayor that A-5 properties are always in the agricultural area, further from neighbours and generally larger properties than those in the urban area.

Councillor Bill Dunn asked what would happen if the chickens got into a neighbour’s backyard.

“What happens if they don’t keep the chickens on their property,” he asked. “With free-range chickens, we may have chickens on the neighbour’s outdoor furniture.”

Phillips said that by-law enforcement would pay a visit and talk to the owners about their fowl.

The issue had been put out to the public earlier this fall and it received about 40 comments and questions, ranging from concerns about smell, noise, other livestock, disease and attracting varmints.

In the end, the chickens were approved with a unanimous vote on the by-law amendment.