The District of Squamish council is again talking about the birds and the bees.
The touchy subject came up at last Tuesday's (March 6) meeting, with a Squamish family having sent a letter pleading to lawmakers to allow them to keep the family's four chickens - Weesey, Maloona, Sunny and Jobe - and goat Elliott.
The Willmots have until March 27 to find a new home for the animals, as the district has multiple bylaws prohibiting the keeping of livestock, which includes bees, in residential neighbourhoods.
Last year, the issue arose during the district's zoning bylaw review and during discussions about the wildlife attractant bylaw, but it was never fully worked through, Coun. Patricia Heintzman said. With the exception of councillors Doug Race and Ron Sander, council voted to ask district officials to examine policy, bylaw implications and costs associated with allowing people to keep chickens in residential areas.
When it comes to the tale of the chickens and the bylaws, the chickens came first, Coun. Brian Raiser told The Chief. Allowing the feathered creatures in residential areas won't turn neighbourhoods into chicken coops, he said. It would simply allow those already there to stay.
Changing the current regulations requires a two-step approach, said Cameron Chalmers, the district's general manager of community services. First, the municipality must alter its current bylaws and, if passed, would then develop appropriate policy on how to keep livestock.
"We can't kid ourselves: It is a significant amount of work," Chalmers said.
That was Race's main reason for voting against the move. The bylaws were reviewed and it's time to stick with the status quo, he said.
"To spend time and resources looking into this again is a waste of staff time," Race said.
Livestock could attract wildlife into town, Sander warned. He also questioned the district's ability to police an altered bylaw, noting his concern for children's safety in cases where people don't properly manage chickens and their feed.
Farm animals are allowed in rural areas, where they belong, Sander said.
"I think I don't believe in turning the district into a petting zoo," he said.
