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57 °F Forecast | Road Cams Saturday, April 9, 2005 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Menu Guide How To Guide Health Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Real Estate Guide Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Passport to the Rogue Valley SHOP OUR VALLEY AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Classified Place an ad TOP JOBS EXTRA Ashland News NIE Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People Volunteer Moving here? eSouthernOregon CUSTOMER SERVICE FAQ's Advertise with us Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend April 7, 2005 Central Point Council joins chicken debate By MEG LANDERS Mail Tribune When it comes to backyard poultry, Medford isn’t the only place ruffling a few feathers. Central Point also is rethinking its stand on chickens. Central Point City Councilwoman Sandi Richardson, a 4-H Club leader for 32 years, said the city’s current ordinance is unclear, and she’d like some allowance for urban poultry. She said kids who live inside city limits should be able to take part in 4-H and Future Farmers of America activities, which include raising 6 to 8 chickens during the spring and early summer months. "I think we should do everything we can to support our youth," said Richardson. Responding to a few complaints from neighbors of residents who keep chickens, Medford’s City Council discussed amending its city ordinance at a March 31 study session. The council asked city staff to come back with proposed restrictions. Advertisement Medford’s city code doesn’t clearly ban chickens, so the council is leaning toward allowing the birds — with guidelines. The Central Point City Council is scheduled to discuss its ordinance at 7 p.m. April 14 at City Hall, 155 S. Second St., Central Point. Central Point City Administrator Phil Messina said his city’s code is pretty fuzzy on fowl, but he’s unaware of any complaints about the birds. Fowl can be described as domestic animals, but they require a permit and permission from neighbors. But then there’s another city code that bans livestock, which could also describe chickens. Brian "Rooster" DeBunce said he’d love to see chickens allowed — in moderation — within the city. DeBunce sells about 1,000 chickens each week working at the Central Point Grange Co-op. "My whole big thing is educating people about poultry," said DeBunce. "There’s lots of people who want to have a few chickens." He said they’re very quiet and easy to keep. "Chickens really make excellent pets," he said, adding that he’s just speaking for himself, not the Grange Co-op. Richardson would like to work with Medford and any other cities to come up with a consistent and workable chicken ordinance. "(Cities) from Grants Pass to Ashland needs to come up with an ordinance that’s similar so we know what’s going on," said Richardson. Reach reporter Meg Landers at 776-4481 or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback Student Loan Consolidation Conference Calls - $50/Month Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker, Trunk, Footlockers home equity loans helzberg Distance Education Diamonds Slippers Student Loans afsa teleconferencing Memory Foam Mattress w2 forms Tatoo Fasa Advertisement s