Bowling Green City Council will hold a committee-of-the-whole meeting Nov. 5 to begin considering a
change in the city’s zoning code to allow egg-laying chickens in residential neighborhoods.
The 6 p.m. session will precede council’s regular meeting.
"This seems an appropriate way to finally deal with this issue," At-Large Member Bruce Jeffers
said.
Jeffers has asked City Attorney Michael Marsh to work toward a draft ordinance that can be used as a
starting point in the discussion.
Earlier this fall the city’s Planning Commission unanimously recommended that no action be taken to
change the zoning code regarding chickens. That vote followed a multi-month study of the issue by a
subcommittee of the commission.
However, proponents of the issue decided to pursue the issue before council at its Oct. 1 meeting.
"This would be a reasonable next step," Third Ward Council Member Michael Aspacher said.
"City Council has been following the issue closely. I have received substantial communication both
via email and one-on-one contact. The issue has been polarizing," Aspacher said.
The only person to address the issue from the lobby Monday night was proponent Laura Sanchez, who simply
provided each member of council containing articles from law reviews about the issue.
Council also:
• Approved the appointment of Dr. Emily Monago to a three-year term on the city’s Human Relations
Commission.
• Watched as Tom VandenEynden of the city’s Bicycle Safety Committee presented the group’s 12th Bicycling
Spokesperson of the Year Award to Roger Shope. VandenEynden said Shope is a bicycle rider and a bicycle
advocate, having worked to promote bicycling at the state and federal level.
• Learned new street signs have been installed in the Heritage 2000 area downtown to comply with federal
standards.
• Heard that construction of the new aquatics complex at City Park has begun. Most of the work the next
few weeks will be underground. Director of Parks and Recreation Dr. Michelle Grigore said the two
contracting firms are working on an agreement to have the work completed by May 17. "That gives us
two weeks to fill the tank and train staff," she said. Opening is anticipated June 1.
• Approved legislation that increases ambulance rates effective Dec. 1. City officials have said the
increases reflect increased Medicare reimbursement and are in line with other EMS operations in the
area. The last change was in 2008.
• Learned the Finance Committee will hold a preliminary 2013 budget review with city administrators Oct.
29 at 4 p.m.
• Set public hearings on three proposed rezonings in the 100 block of North Prospect Street, 200 block of
East Wooster Street and 100 block of North Summit Street for 6 p.m. Nov. 19.