10/6/11 -- C.O.O.P. Group's Zoning Text Amendment Proposal Letter
October 6, 2011
James R. Donnelly
Planning Director
City of Johnson City
P.O. Box 2150
Johnson City, TN 37605
Dear Mr. Donnelly:
I am writing to request a zoning text amendment and have enclosed a check for $150, at your request, for processing. The zoning code in question states that:
“Within the R-1 Low Density Residential District the following uses are permitted:
6.1.1.1 Single-family residences;
6.1.1.2 Customary general farming, but not the raising of farm animals or poultry;
… ”
I disagree that all “poultry” should be banned indiscriminately in Johnson City’s residential zoning code. There are multiple, demonstrable benefits to allowing a limited number of “city hens” by permit. Hens make outstanding pet animals, for instance, are one of the easiest pets to maintain cleanly, and have a quiet, friendly, entertaining demeanor when in small backyard flocks. The dozens and dozens of fresh homegrown eggs these few hens produce are superior in all ways to industrial-farm-sourced eggs—health-wise, ethics-wise and eco-wise. Small-scale henkeeping is, therefore, of huge potential benefit to Johnson City families—they could eat more healthfully on a budget, be more self-sufficient, teach their children about this important part of food production, enrich their gardens with free fertilizer, and enjoy a fun, easy pet companion in the process.
As with any animal, pet or otherwise, there are certain possible risks—but with commonsense maintenance/hygiene precautions and proper pet-owner education (classes which myself and others at the C.O.O.P. Group pledge to organize and provide free to the public)—any risks are diminished substantially. The overall benefits of owning a few hens greatly outweigh the unlikely risks.
For these reasons, I propose the zoning text be amended to read:
“Within the R-1 Low Density Residential District the following uses are permitted:
6.1.1.1 Single-family residences;
6.1.1.2 Customary general farming, but not the raising of farm animals or poultry without a permit; … ”
…this will allow the JC City Commissioners to address permitting requirements more specifically within the city code itself, to spell out what restrictions will need to be placed upon any city resident wanting to responsibly keep a few hens within the city. Our request to the City Council will include an 8-bird, hen-only limit per family, as well as a requirement that the hens stay contained (not allowed to roam at large).
This is a grass-roots issue that will not just go away. Already, pages and pages of city-hen-supportive petition signatures have been gathered; over 300 people would like to see this basic right, the right to keep a few hens responsibly, restored to our residents. On behalf of myself and other citizens who have found that hens make wonderful, useful pets – providing safe, nutrient-rich eggs and hours of free entertainment—thank you for your time and attention. I look forward to working toward a common good for all Johnson City residents.
Respectfully Yours,
Emily Katt
Johnson City, TN
James R. Donnelly
Planning Director
City of Johnson City
P.O. Box 2150
Johnson City, TN 37605
Dear Mr. Donnelly:
I am writing to request a zoning text amendment and have enclosed a check for $150, at your request, for processing. The zoning code in question states that:
“Within the R-1 Low Density Residential District the following uses are permitted:
6.1.1.1 Single-family residences;
6.1.1.2 Customary general farming, but not the raising of farm animals or poultry;
… ”
I disagree that all “poultry” should be banned indiscriminately in Johnson City’s residential zoning code. There are multiple, demonstrable benefits to allowing a limited number of “city hens” by permit. Hens make outstanding pet animals, for instance, are one of the easiest pets to maintain cleanly, and have a quiet, friendly, entertaining demeanor when in small backyard flocks. The dozens and dozens of fresh homegrown eggs these few hens produce are superior in all ways to industrial-farm-sourced eggs—health-wise, ethics-wise and eco-wise. Small-scale henkeeping is, therefore, of huge potential benefit to Johnson City families—they could eat more healthfully on a budget, be more self-sufficient, teach their children about this important part of food production, enrich their gardens with free fertilizer, and enjoy a fun, easy pet companion in the process.
As with any animal, pet or otherwise, there are certain possible risks—but with commonsense maintenance/hygiene precautions and proper pet-owner education (classes which myself and others at the C.O.O.P. Group pledge to organize and provide free to the public)—any risks are diminished substantially. The overall benefits of owning a few hens greatly outweigh the unlikely risks.
For these reasons, I propose the zoning text be amended to read:
“Within the R-1 Low Density Residential District the following uses are permitted:
6.1.1.1 Single-family residences;
6.1.1.2 Customary general farming, but not the raising of farm animals or poultry without a permit; … ”
…this will allow the JC City Commissioners to address permitting requirements more specifically within the city code itself, to spell out what restrictions will need to be placed upon any city resident wanting to responsibly keep a few hens within the city. Our request to the City Council will include an 8-bird, hen-only limit per family, as well as a requirement that the hens stay contained (not allowed to roam at large).
This is a grass-roots issue that will not just go away. Already, pages and pages of city-hen-supportive petition signatures have been gathered; over 300 people would like to see this basic right, the right to keep a few hens responsibly, restored to our residents. On behalf of myself and other citizens who have found that hens make wonderful, useful pets – providing safe, nutrient-rich eggs and hours of free entertainment—thank you for your time and attention. I look forward to working toward a common good for all Johnson City residents.
Respectfully Yours,
Emily Katt
Johnson City, TN