Those hoping to keep urban chickens in St. Albert backyards will have to wait a little longer to find out if a pilot project will go ahead.
A proposed pilot project to test out urban hens in this city won’t be considered by council until the third quarter of 2016.
Staff asked for more time on Monday so that Edmonton’s backyard hen pilot project results could be assessed and a survey could be conducted. The survey is set to gather information on St. Albertan’s thoughts on the proposed animal bylaw changes, including checking in with respondents about urban hens and backyard bees.
“It’s absolutely irrelevant what Edmonton’s doing,” Coun. Cathy Heron told council, arguing against further delay. The discussion was delayed in the fall after Heron switched her proposal from wholesale bylaw changes to holding a pilot. It was suggested at the time that St. Albert waits until Edmonton’s results were in, and arrived back on council’s radar earlier this week.
Heron pointed out that there are many other cities that have urban chicken bylaws that could be used for reference, like Red Deer or Vancouver. Edmonton’s results will be ready in just a few weeks, meaning there’s no need to wait until the latter half of 2016.
She also argued that the survey should be done after a pilot project so residents are more informed about the topic.
“It would be really not a good idea to do the survey before the residents really understood what was going on," Heron said.
She didn’t convince her fellow council members. The rest all voted in favour of the delay. Coun. Bob Russell who was absent.
“To me it’s something we need to ask our residents about because we’re talking about the quality of life in our community,” said Coun. Wes Brodhead, noting he’s heard quite a few comments already from residents about the topic of backyard hens.
Coun. Sheena Hughes, who had suggested the postponement in November, said the reason for delay – a survey and Edmonton’s results – was still relevant.
In an interview on Thursday, Heron said she has heard from urban agriculture proponents who are disappointed at the delay.
“It pretty much delays it a full calendar year,” she said.
What she’s heard is that Edmonton will pass some kind of urban hen bylaw in a few weeks with barely any feathers ruffled by that city’s council.
Neil Korotash, who would like to have the option of having backyard chickens, said on Twitter a St. Albert pilot project isn’t really needed, noting St. Albert city staff are overtaxed.
“Copy and paste Edmonton’s rules once established,” he said, adding later that there’s “no need to reinvent the wheel.”
Ed Ramsden also suggested looking to Edmonton’s bylaw and pilot project results, noting the geographical proximity to St. Albert.
“You would hope the results are seen as valid for our municipality as well,” he tweeted.
