Feathers Fly at City Council Meeting

A lengthy discussion of the city chicken ordinance highlighted a marathon regular meeting of the Jackson City Council on April 17.

With every council member present and a full room of observers, the council members listened as neighbors and school representatives discussed issues related to several chickens used by Jackson City School’s agriculture class.

Corey Goff asked the city Council for “peace and quiet” at his home on Patton Avenue.  Goff told Council members that he had experienced smells and sounds coming from the school’s chickens at the home he purchased on Patton Avenue.

“There have been some instances where I have had some downwind smells from the enclosures,” Goff said.  He noted that the school had “roosters on and off” at the site, and the rooster’s crow was “triggering” to him.  Goff indicated in a letter to the City Council and his presentation that the smell and sound were issues for several residents in the neighborhood.

Several students and administrator from Jackson City School discussed their agricultural class and the goals of the chicken program.  Britany Back, agricultural teacher at JCS, noted that the program enhanced the school's educational efforts by teaching students leadership, responsibility, financial sustainability, math, and science. 

Mayor Thomas told those gathered that the “chicken ordinance,” last amended on January 23, 2014, allows only five chickens and no roosters.  She stated that the one previous waiver for educational purposes granted to Breathitt High School did not request a rooster because it was not an “egg-based” program. 

“I really don’t think there should be an exception made,” Patton Avenue resident Virginia Meagher told the council.  She said she did not want her property value to decrease because of a “smell from the feces of the animals” and things happening in the neighborhood. 

“I understand there are lots of ideas that the school has to alleviate any kind of nuisance that may be happening to residents in that area,” Goff said.  “I am actually in full support of this program, and I don’t want people to hate me for having my concerns.”

Councilmember Steve McIntosh discussed the origins of the ordinance and commented on the importance of “Adam and Eve” versus “Adam and Steve,” as well as the important role roosters play in making more chickens.

Jackson City School officials noted that the school planned to move the chicken portion of the agriculture class to a vacant lot between the Board of Education and Hurst Lane, which is larger and more secluded.

Mayor Thomas noted that the council needed to pass a resolution permitting an “educational waiver,” but needed to amend the ordinance to permanently change the law to allow educational waivers in the future.

Councilman Steve McIntosh proposed that the council pass a resolution to allow a temporary waiver for one rooster and up to twelve hens for educational purposes until the beginning of the 2025-2026 school year.  The motion was seconded and unanimously approved by the council.

The council approved the bills, minutes, and reports submitted from city departments.