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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Mail Tribune announces leadership changes in the newsroom ... Since You Asked: Oregon handles possible data breach differently ... At the ready ... Mail Tribune announces leadership changes in the newsroom ... Since You Asked: Oregon handles possible data breach differently ... At the ready ... MEDFORD FOWL Medford residents cry foul over backyard chickens Council will consider limiting number of chickens on city properties Comment By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Follow @@reporterdm MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Follow @@reporterdm Posted Jul. 25, 2016 at 10:00 AM By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Follow @@reporterdm Posted Jul. 25, 2016 at 10:00 AM » Social News Medford has had a love-hate relationship with chickens over the years, but recent complaints about dozens of chickens on a Cherry Street property have prompted the City Council to consider a limit on backyard fowl. Chickens were banned in city limits until 2007, when Medford Municipal Judge Bill Haberlach ruled Medford’s ordinance banning livestock in residential areas didn’t cover chickens. Neighbors on Cherry Street in southwest Medford recently complained about dozens of chickens as well as a couple of pigs on a neighboring property, prompting some debate in City Council about how many birds should be allowed. The council also will consider limits on backyard turkeys. “We’ll have a whole fowl discussion,” Councilor Daniel Bunn said. “Apparently the city has a history of dealing with chickens. I think a limit makes sense.” Bunn said he’s received complaints from residents concerned about the number of chickens in their neighbor’s backyard. Currently, the city can take action only if there is a nuisance with chickens that either create an odor problem or make too much noise. The city’s livestock ordinance prohibits horses, cows, sheep, goats and pigs, but chickens are allowed. However, if a property that was once outside city limits was brought in, the owner could continue to keep livestock under a “grandfather” clause. If the livestock are removed for more than one year, the grandfather option goes away, and the livestock would no longer be allowed on the property. Also, if the ownership of the property changes, the grandfather option doesn’t apply to the new owner. Medford police Lt. Kevin Walruff said the ownership of the Cherry Street property changed, so the new owners can’t raise pigs, and they’ve been notified to remove them within 30 days or risk a $250 fine. In 2004, the city warned a local resident about her six chickens, and the city attorney determined the code prohibited the birds. In May 2005, the city considered but rejected an ordinance that would have allowed six birds on a property. Resident Jim Bauermeister contested the ordinance in July 2006 after he was cited for keeping chickens in his yard, and that led to the 2007 ruling from Haberlach. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 541-776-4476 or [email protected] . Follow him on www.twitter.com/reporterdm . By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Follow @@reporterdm MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Follow @@reporterdm Posted Jul. 25, 2016 at 10:00 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501