Dec. 17, 2018 – West Bend, WI – The West Bend Common Council took up the issue of whether to allow neighbors in the community to raise chickens.
The discussion went on for about 40 minutes during Monday night’s meeting.
Highlights included:
-Discussions about noise, smell, feces.
-Are chickens pets or are they wild animals.
-Dist. 3 alderman Andrew Chevalier recommended a flat annual fee of $50 for chickens rather than charging a fee per bird.
-Aldermen noted chickens draw more rodents and predators to town including fox and raccoons.
-Neighbors including Joe Zaremba and Jim Tews spoke in favor of allowing chickens. Tews warned the council not to put a test window on the idea because if the city determined it a failed experiment and a chicken would have to be taken away from a child it would be like taking a dog away.
-City of West Bend Director of Development Mark Piotrowicz noted there were a number of conflicts in some of the current laws on the books including the use of chicken wire for fencing.
-Future chicken owners would be asked to notify neighbors about possibly bringing chickens to their yard.
-The council agreed to table the discussion and allow city staff to explore some of the questions brought up at the meeting before a vote would take place.
-The Common Council will review the issue again at its first meeting in January 2019.
-Early leanings against chickens include Dist. 1 alderman John Butschlick, Dist. 6 alderman Steve Hoogester, and Dist. 8 alderman Roger Kist. Dist. 5 alderman Rich Kasten said he was not in favor but open to listening to suggestions.
-Those in favor of chickens include Dist. 2 alderman Mike Christian, Dist. 3 Andrew Chevalier, Dist. 4 Chris Jenkins, and Dist. 7 Justice Madl.
Below is how the issue was presented on Monday night’s agenda.
Click HERE to read how the chicken decision ended in March 2017.
