Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
Proposal limits homes to five hens, no roosters
COLFAX — The request to have chickens in the city came back to the Colfax city council Monday night.
“I’m just tired of the council getting bounced around by the chicken issue,” said councilmember Tom Huntwork.
A presentation on a requested ordinance change followed a pitch to the council in early March by planning commission member Donna Huntwork to revisit whether to allow chickens inside city limits.
The ordinance would allow five hens at any one property, no roosters, all kept in ventilated coops with shade and protection from elements, at least 10 feet from property lines and 20 feet from a neighbor’s residence, and no hens would be permitted to run at large.
A $15 yearly fee would be required by the city.
City staff member Steve Bretveld brought this forth alongside a proposed adjustment to the city animal code for dogs, which would change licenses to lifetime instead of yearly.
“I will be voting no because of the chickens but I do think we should pass the dog changes,” said councilmember Jim Kackman.
“As is, I love the dog piece,” said council representative Crystn Guenthner. “The chicken thing I would have to vote no on.”
While the chicken matter was brought as an introduction, councilmember Mark Mackleit suggested taking a vote, saying he did not think waiting until the next meeting would make a difference.
Guenthner suggested the vote wait, “to check with constituents to see how the community is feeling.”
The council meets again on May 3.
“We’re setting this aside for another two weeks,” said Mayor Jim Retzer to the Gazette on Tuesday. “If the citizens are opposed or if they are for it … It’s not a personal matter. It’s not me or any one of the council members. It’s what the people prefer. I would like to do what the people want.”
The matter was turned down during Mayor Todd Vanek’s era. In 2019, former councilman J.W. Roberts proposed that the council have the planning commission take up the matter again.
Since chickens were last debated in Colfax, the city council has five new members and a new mayor.
Garth Meyer is a former Whitman County Gazette reporter.
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