The future of “backyard chickens” in the city of Belleville won’t be decided any time soon.
Recently, city residents had appeared before council asking that urban residents be allowed to install chicken coops and keep a limited number of hens.
Several municipalities now allow “backyard chickens” but under strict conditions.
For example, in Quinte West they are only allowed on properties one acre in size or more.
After receiving a staff report Monday night, the Planning Advisory Committee decided to defer any decision, and send the issue to consultants who are now creating a new city-wide Official Plan.
Chair Paul Carr tells Quinte News it will be a couple of years before the Official Plan is complete.
Carr pointed out, “This process is heavy with community consultation so it’ll be an opportunity for every one to have their say and how they want their community shaped in the future…keep in mind we have three zoning by-laws because of amalgamation. Some of those zoning by-laws are very archaic so they actually have to be updated to present terms and then merged in with the city’s. So it’s a long process that will get us there, plus there’s consultation along the way.”
