Thursday, March 28, 2024

Bridgeport Council approves chicken application pending ordinance revie

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BRIDGEPORT – Why did the Bridgeport resident cross the road? Last Wednesday, March 20, it was to attend the regular monthly meeting of the Bridgeport City Council where, among other items on the agenda, was an application to keep four chickens inside the city limits.
“I see on the agenda that there is something about having chickens in town,” said resident Meredith Spencer. “I just wanted to remind the council that in April of 2016 we also had a request for chickens.”
Spencer said that at that time she presented a petition with 22 signatures who opposed having chickens within the city limits and council members voted against the request.
“So, I’m hoping that the council will once again consider the smell, the noise, the restrictions that have to do with chickens in town.”
Resident Dan Peterson spoke next in support of chickens in town.
I would be in favor of having chickens in town,” said Petersen. “I’ve been around chickens and people that have chickens and if properly cared for there’s not a problem with them…I think it’s a good thing for the town.
Council person Anthony Jenkins said he inspected the property of the party making application for approval to house four chickens on their premises and found space and other factors adequate to win his support.
Council person Phil Lee recommended reviewing the process before allowing a use that cause the applicant to incur costs for something that might later be denied.
“I would hate to see someone make a big investment in something and then lose it because they violated some part of the ordinance,” said Lee, “and we don’t know what they are yet.”
Mayor Janet Conklin concurred and added that while she was neither for nor against chickens in the city, “our ordinance is not bullet-proof” and itemized several instances that were not covered. Conklin therefore recommended that the city revisit the guidelines before allowing any chickens in the city.”
Jenkins made a spirited defense of the applicants and recommended that council members allow the permit while the council reviewed and revised the existing ordinance.
Council person Matt Schuh said he review the city’s current ordinance and advised that there were provisions for revoking the permit if provisions of their care were not followed.
Following a lengthy discussion that touched on many pros and cons of chickens domiciled within the city limits, a majority of council members voted to allow the permit while the specific ordinance undergoes review.
Council members further voted to allow no further chicken permits until the council enacts a new ordinance.
 

bridgeport, City Council, chicken application

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