Why did the chicken cross the town boundaries? Because urban chickens are allowed in High River, but not on parcels of land under three acres in the Foothills.

Foothills County recently heard from residents who want the Land Use Bylaw changed to allow urban chicken coops on residential properties in county hamlets like Blackie, Cayley and Heritage Point.

Long Term Planner for the County, Coreena Carr says council directed administration to take up the debate and find out how their residents feel about backyard hens in the Foothills.

"Currently we don't allow any livestock on parcels in the municipality that are under three acres of size, however the urban municipalities located within the Foothills do allow or have Urban Hen Bylaws." Carr says "Council has directed staff to go and approach the public to see what their response is, and if they would actually like to see backyard hens in the residential parcels."

Residents can find a rough copy of what that bylaw could look like if allowed by council, and also give their feedback on the County's Website.

There is also a survey available to residents until Nov. 30.

Carr says anything is possible, and based on feedback, the bylaw could be changed to allow certain hamlets to have backyard hens, but not others.

"We're interested in finding out if maybe one but not all hamlets will be interested in looking into backyard hens. There's hamlets like Cayley and Blackie where it may be something they really want to see, where as communities such as Heritage Pointe may not find it suitable."

Once feedback is collected, administration will take their findings back to council in the New Year to hash out any proposed changes.

To give feedback, or see what kind of guidelines are being suggested, visit the Foothills County Website.

 

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