Chicken-Keeping Legalized on Most Residential Santee Lots

The issue of chicken-keeping on residential lots within Santee city limits wrapped up Wednesday night with a vote by City Council in favor of chickens ().

The council voted to take and alter the current city ordinance to broaden the areas that chickens can be kept and add details about how chickens must be kept.

Staff recommendations, and hence, the details of the new ordinance, were as follows:

• Staff suggests that the number of fowl be limited to one per 2,000 sq. feet, averaging 3-5 chickens per lot.

• Prohibit roosters outright in single-family residential zones. Chickens don't need roosters to lay eggs.

• Require containment, a coop or hen house that is rodent and hawk proof, and require the coop to be at least 15 feet from adjecent properties. The report contains more details and illustrations.

• Require proper food storage that is rodent proff.

• Prohibit the slaughter of chickens for poultry.

• Prohibit the commercial breeding of chickens.

• Require proper sanitation and codes to enforce it.

The topic came before the council at least three times since June, , a proponent of "urban agriculture." When the topic first died from lack of interest by the council, , operator of the Face Book page "Legalize Chickens in Santee," pushed the topic until Councilman Jack Dale brought it back to the table.

Wednesday's vote was 3-2, with John Ryan and Rob McNelis voting against the new ordinance.

Rob McNelis was concerned with the use of city staff to enforce ordinances, which he said is already strained. He said it could lead to a "code compliance nightmare."

He also brought the realtor's perspective, asking if someone who just bought a home for $800,000 is going to be happy with chickens next door.

John Minto said he did his homework and visted a few chicken owners in the area and even went to Hillakers Ranch to see if they thought there'd be competition; all were in favor of chicken-keeping. He voted in favor.

"I'm really excited that Santee decided to do this- the right thing. I think the rules are very fair, the staff did a good job," said Alan Stuart, after the meeting. "The many months of work was worth the effort. I'm keeping my pets, that's all I did it for!"

Other Council Meeting News

• Council voted in favor of the installation of stop signs at the intersection of Kreiner Way at Kaschube Way, Hirsch Road at Galston Drive and Highdale Road at Carita Road after requests were received from residents concerned about overall traffic safety at these intersections. John Ryan voted no, with the sentiments that government shouldn't fix what isn't broken.

• A trail connecting North Magnolia Avenue to the Lakeside Baseball Fields, just north of RCP, between homes and the river, was approved. This is related the .

• A discussion ensued about city landscaping contracts and whether or not the city is obligated to accept the lowest bid on these contracts. It was decided that the lowest bid for this specific landscaping contract be accepted.