Thursday, January 24, 2013
Residents spoke before the council for more than two hours Tuesday night—some advocating for broader regulations, and others airing concerns about property values and quality of life.
On Tuesday night, more than 20 residents went before the Downers Grove Village Council to address the much-debated issue of backyard chicken coops—many asking for changes to the current regulations, and a few stating their firm opposition. The council heard public comment for about two and a half hours during the standing committee meeting, an informal forum held to discuss a proposal that would have amended the village's fowl ordinance and allowed all but a handful of single-family residential properties to house backyard chicken coops. Although the council ultimately decided against any immediate changes, Mayor Martin Tully and several of the commissioners were struck by the level of participation. "We have received more comments on this…
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
New regulations that would have increased the number of eligible lots from 509 to 13,883 were called "too much, too soon" during the nearly four-hour standing committee meeting.
Downers Grove's 26-year-old ordinance on backyard chickens will remain unchanged—at least for the time being. After more than three hours of public comment and debate among commissioners Tuesday night, the Downers Grove Council nixed a proposal that would have amended the village's fowl ordinance and allowed all but a handful of single-family residential properties to house backyard chicken coops. The majority of the council called the changes "too much, too soon," but said they will maintain an open dialogue with residents as they explore other options. Tuesday's standing committee meeting came nearly two months after Commissioner Becky Rheintgen asked the council to explore the possibility of increasing the number of chickens permitted, …
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
The Downers Grove council is scheduled to discuss proposed amendments to the fowl ordinance during a standing committee meeting at 6 p.m.
Monday, January 21, 2013
The Downers Grove council is scheduled to discuss proposed amendments to the fowl ordinance during a standing committee meeting at 6 p.m.
Downers Grove commissioners will debate possible changes to the village's fowl regulations during a standing committee meeting Tuesday night. The meeting—scheduled for 6 p.m. at Village Hall, 801 Burlington Ave.—comes one month after Commissioner Becky Rheintgen asked that the council look into the possibility of increasing the number of chickens permitted, decreasing setback requirements, banning roosters, and requiring a license or permit for keeping chickens. The current ordinance—adopted in 1987—defines fowl as "any domesticated bird, poultry or water fowl, except for homing pigeons and caged birds kept as house pets." A maximum of four fowl aged 18 weeks or older and four fowl younger than 18 weeks are permitted on residential …
Saturday, January 12, 2013
Proposed changes would increase the number of eligible lots from 509 to 13,883, according to a report published Thursday by the village of Downers Grove.
Friday, January 11, 2013
Proposed changes would increase the number of eligible lots from 509 to 13,883, according to a report published Thursday by the village of Downers Grove.
Proposed changes to fowl regulations in Downers Grove would allow all but a handful of single-family residential properties to house backyard chicken coops, according to village staff. In a report published Thursday on the village's website, Village Manager Dave Fieldman details more than a month of research on the current fowl ordinance and proposed changes. The document also includes a survey of surrounding municipalities and more than a dozen responses to questions posed by the council and Downers Grove residents. Village staff began researching the ordinance after the council's Dec. 4 meeting, during which Commissioner Becky Rheintgen asked that they look into the possibility of increasing the number of chickens permitted, decreasing …
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
The council will move forward with a Jan. 22 standing committee meeting to discuss possible changes to the village's fowl ordinance.
The Downers Grove village council will move forward with a public meeting on fowl regulations after shooting down a commissioner's proposal for an April referendum. As promised during the council's Dec. 18 meeting, Commissioner William Waldack presented two questions for the April 9 consolidated election ballot that could have given voters the opportunity to weigh in on the village's fowl ordinance, which regulates how many chickens, turkeys and other fowl Downers Grove residents may keep as pets. "Shall the village of Downers Grove amend the ordinances allowing for the expansion of fowl, specifically chickens and/or backyard chicken-raising in Downers Grove?" "Shall the village of Downers Grove amend the ordinances to reduce property line…
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Per the request of Commissioner William Waldack, the council will discuss the possibility of an April referendum on changes to current fowl regulations.
The Downers Grove council will revisit the issue of chicken coops Tuesday night—this time to discuss whether changes to the current ordinance should go to referendum in April. Commissioner William Waldack told the village council Dec. 18 that he planned to suggest a referendum question in January about possible changes to the village's fowl ordinance, which regulates how many chickens Downers Grove residents may keep as pets. According to the agenda for the Tuesday council meeting, commissioners will discuss Waldack's suggestion under new business. The topic will not be voted on, but rather discussed by commissioners to determine whether staff should move forward with further research, the memo said. Waldack proposed the following …
Monday, January 7, 2013
Downers Grove Patch welcomes letters to the editor. Letters may be submitted to Local Editor Amanda Luevano at amanda@patch.com.
Downers Grove Patch accepts letters to the editor, which will be posted on the site weekly. If you're interested in submitting a letter, e-mail Downers Grove Patch Editor Amanda Luevano at amanda@patch.com. The following letter was submitted by Downers Grove resident Wayne Enerson as a suggested referendum on possible changes to the village's fowl ordinance. The village council will hold a standing committee meeting on Jan. 21 to discuss the proposed changes to the ordinance, which outlines the requirements for keeping chickens and other fowl on residential property. On Dec. 18, Downers Grove Commissioner William Waldack told the council he plans to suggest a referendum for the April 2013 consolidated election ballot to let voters weigh in…
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Commissioner William Waldack told the village council Dec. 18 that he plans to suggest a referendum for the April 2013 consolidated election ballot.
A Downers Grove commissioner hopes to give voters the chance to decide whether the village should allow more homes to have chicken coops. Commissioner William Waldack told the village council Dec. 18 that he plans to suggest a referendum question next month about possible changes to the village's fowl ordinance, which regulates how many chickens Downers Grove residents may keep as pets. "I do plan on making some suggestions about putting this out to referendum at our next meeting," Waldack said. "I would just ask my fellow council members to think about it over the holidays ... and keep an open mind." The Downers Grove Council took up the issue of backyard chicken coop during its Dec. 4 meeting at the request of Commissioner Becky …
LLL
10:52 pm on Thursday, January 24, 2013
Backyard chickens in an urban setting is becoming the rule rather than the exception. Communities with a progressive stand on green and sustainable living attract citizens with those values. People with this increased awareness and value system tend to be better educated and have higher incomes so it is natural for property values in these types of communities to be higher. This is a different … more ›