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Jacksonville targets rooster crowing with increased fines Crowing roosters - and their owners - will come in for closer scrutiny and possible fines under a new ordinance proposed by the city of Jacksonville. [photo from 123RF.com] Tuesday Apr 25, 2017 at 4:28 PM Apr 25, 2017 at 4:28 PM Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune JACKSONVILLE — The city is cracking down on crowing roosters and will consider an ordinance to ban the noisy birds within city limits. The penalty for a first citation under the city’s noise violation ordinance has been set at $100 as part of the city's effort to update its administrative fees and fines. A second citation would bring a $200 fine, followed by $500 for all subsequent violations. Previously, the municipal court judge had the option to set a fine of up to $1,000 for noise violations. Neighbors in the Westmont area, adjacent to Highway 238 in the northwest section of town, have previously testified about disruptions to their lives by birds kept by several families that start crowing as early as 4:30 a.m. and continue throughout the day. The council adopted the new fines April 18. “We are the only community around here that allows roosters in the city,” said Dean Paddison, who lives in Westmont. “Even (Rogue River), which has the Rooster Crow, doesn’t allow roosters in the city.” “We have all been impacted,” said Whit Parker, who lives in the area. “This really has pitted neighbors against neighbors. It has been very uncomfortable.” Barbara Hurd, new to the neighborhood, said she called the police last summer to complain. She had to go to court three times, and it took the court three months to process the citation. Parker said a neighbor was fined by the municipal judge for violating the noise rule last summer. “I would urge the council to do something proactive so we don’t have to rely on going to the police,” said neighbor Andrea Thompson. But Melinda Maginn said that the number of roosters in the area had been reduced and that some were being kept in a garage. She urged that neighbors talk with each other to work things out. “The trend is toward more urban and small organic farming. A couple of chickens anywhere are not going to cause any harm,” Maginn said in an interview. Maginn had roosters at one time but no longer does, although she has hens. “I also understand the rooster issue in our neighborhood became pretty bad,” said Maginn. “Roosters calling to each other, that’s maddening.” “When something has five or six neighbors coming (to the council), something has to be done. Fear of the checkbook is the way to do it,” said Councilman David Jesse, who urged escalating fines at an April 4 meeting. A staff report by City Principal Planner Ian Foster suggested amending the municipal codes to specify that roosters are considered a nuisance or to prohibit the keeping of roosters. But under that option, preliminary research indicated roosters currently in city limits would be grandfathered in. Roosters can live from 10 to 15 years, according to testimony. Councilors approved a staff recommendation that the city attorney prepare a draft ordinance prohibiting the keeping of roosters within city limits and research the status of current resident roosters. Land development codes could be amended to prohibit roosters, but that process would take more time and would need to originate from the Planning Commission. A draft code does prohibit roosters, but it is uncertain when or whether it might be adopted, Foster stated in the report. The new fine schedule would apply to other noise violations in addition to sounds emanating from roosters.  — Tony Boom is an Ashland freelance writer. Reach him at [email protected].