Oak Ridge North — The city council met on Oct. 26 and decided not to amend the current backyard poultry ordinance, which limits chickens and other fowl to properties larger than one acre. Approximately 50 community members attended the session, presenting a petition with 536 signatures that called for a smaller lot requirement.
Background on the ordinance
The existing rule mirrors restrictions in neighboring Katy and Montgomery, while cities such as Shenandoah and Houston have no such lot‑size limits. The ordinance was originally adopted to protect residential neighborhoods from potential health and safety concerns associated with larger flocks.
Petitioners’ concerns
Petition organizer Blaire Schuetz‑Coakley recounted how her family had to surrender their birds after code enforcement determined their property did not meet the one‑acre threshold. After rehoming the birds, two of them, Nemo and Mabel, were killed by a fox. Schuetz‑Coakley urged council members, “Please do not let Nemo and Mabel’s deaths be in vain. Please update the outdated ordinance so that other backyard bird owners can keep their suburban flocks safe.”
Mayor’s perspective
Mayor Paul Bond responded to a citizen’s question about the ordinance, noting that the county is currently seeking more authority from the state. He suggested that residents who desire chickens, cows, or similar livestock might consider moving to a more rural part of the county where fewer restrictions apply.
Other agenda items
In addition to the poultry discussion, the council approved the purchase of three new police vehicles—two Chevrolet Tahoe patrol units and a Ford Explorer for administrative use. The $202,606 purchase, funded from the police budget, maintains a ratio of one patrol car per officer.
Next steps
The council will reconvene on Nov. 24 for its next regular meeting. Residents who wish to continue advocating for ordinance changes are encouraged to submit additional comments before that date.
Original reporting: Community Impact — Houston — read the source article.
