Cluck, cluck, who’s there? Soon, it might be chickens in your backyard, Laconia! The city council is considering an ordinance to allow residential poultry. After months of debate and a look at licensing, residents have a final chance to speak up. Will Laconia embrace urban farming, or will the chicken cross the road to another town?
Laconia stands at the precipice of a significant change to its urban landscape as city councilors consider an amended ordinance that would permit households to keep chickens within city limits. This pivotal decision follows months of robust public discourse and diligent review, culminating in a scheduled public hearing where residents will have their final opportunity to articulate their perspectives on this highly anticipated proposal.
The journey to this public hearing has been a protracted one, marked by extensive deliberations within the city council. Initially referred to the council subcommittee on operations and ordinances, the “chicken question” underwent a thorough examination before the draft language was subsequently reviewed by the city’s Planning Board in May. This meticulous process underscores the council’s commitment to a well-considered and community-responsive policy.
A vocal proponent of the ordinance, Ward 3 Councilor Eric Hoffman, has consistently championed the initiative since first requesting fellow councilors to consider allowing residents to raise a limited number of chickens in their yards back in March. Councilor Hoffman expressed enthusiastic support, remarking, “Obviously I’m for this, I think it’s fantastic. A lot of the cities in New Hampshire that allow this are the bigger cities, for some reason, and I feel like we’re a little behind the curve on this.” He believes this move aligns Laconia with the evolving cultural landscape of the state, where there is a growing interest in self-sufficiency and urban farming practices.
Furthering the detailed review, a July 11 council meeting saw the question tabled to allow the planning department to investigate the feasibility of requiring citizens to obtain a license for keeping chickens. Discussions with legal counsel clarified that while the city could introduce a non-mandatory registration system for individuals to list their chickens, it could not legally impose penalties on those who chose not to obtain such a license.
This aspect of non-enforcement has raised some cautionary notes among council members. Ward 4 Councilor Mark Haynes, while expressing overall favor for the ordinance, voiced concerns regarding adherence to the proposed restrictions. “I’m totally in favor of this, I’m just hoping that people will abide by the restrictions. And there is no means of enforcement, other than going to court, so I hope that people will use this well,” Councilor Haynes stated, highlighting a key challenge in implementing residential poultry allowances without robust enforcement mechanisms.
The allowance of residential poultry, particularly backyard chickens, is not an isolated phenomenon in New Hampshire; numerous cities across the Granite State permit the keeping of chickens, valued for their fresh eggs and the small-scale animal husbandry they represent. However, it is noteworthy that this practice remains prohibited in several other communities, including Franklin, Berlin, Portsmouth, Keene, and Claremont, showcasing a varied approach to local regulations statewide.
The upcoming public hearing on Monday, September 8, at 7 p.m. during the regular city council meeting, represents a critical juncture for Laconia. It offers residents a final and direct avenue to contribute their voices to a decision that could significantly alter the fabric of community life, fostering a new dimension of sustainable living and local food production within the city.
