HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The new members of the Hutchinson Planning Commission will be introduced at the board's meeting on Tuesday.
Elaine Carter and Megan Rucker were approved by the City Council to take seats on the board.
The board will also discuss a draft ordinance to change city policy on the keeping of chickens.
The draft ordinance as proposed would increase the maximum amount of chickens to six grown chickens or eight chicks in the side or rear yard in R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5, R-6 and MH districts, unless the yard is over 2000 square feet. If so, then one additional chicken may be kept for each additional 500 square feet of yard area.
All chickens must be kept within a fenced part of a yard and provided with appropriate shelter. All chicken coops, hen houses and other structures used to house chickens must be kept neat in appearance and in sanitary condition.
All chicken coops, hen houses and other structures used to house chickens must be set back a minimum of 10 feet from side lots, 5 feet from rear lot line and 50 feet from any adjacent residential dwelling, church, school or business that is outside of the owner’s property lines and shall not project closer to the front or side street than the principal structure.
No roosters shall be kept, and no public slaughtering or processing of chickens allowed.
Owners can also apply for an additional permit if they are raising chickens for their own food.
Anyone keeping chickens improperly and found to allow chickens to run from their property and damage the property of their neighbors will be subject to action pursuant to Chapter 7 of the City Code.
The zoo, veterinarians and the State Fairgrounds are exempt from the proposed regulations.
The Hutchinson Planning Commission will meet Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. in the City Council chamber at 125 E Avenue B.
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