Fenton Council Votes to Allow 3 Chickens, with Restrictions

Conditions of new ordinance can't be appealed; fines can be charged if people don't follow restrictions, city attorney says.

After spirited public comment and a failed attempt to allow six chickens, Fenton City Council voted 6-1 to allow residents to keep up to three chickens, with restrictions. The ordinance will take effect upon publication, probably within a couple of weeks, said city attorney Stephen Schultz. The issue of chicken keeping in Fenton arose when a resident made a complaint about an Adelaide Street residence having chickens. The resident, Malissa Bossardet, asked the city to allow her to keep the chickens, which she uses for eggs to feed her family. The eggs have more nutrients than those from the grocery store, and their chickens give her children a chance to go outside, get their own food and know where their food comes from, she said. …

•  35 Comments
• Photos (1)

Cathryn Therese

1:47 pm on Saturday, February 9, 2013

$35.00 to keep 3 chickens is ridiculous! Actually, $35.00 to keep any amount of chickens is ridiculous. Have you seen the cute coops and runs at TSC and Family, Farm, and Home? They are light and can be moved around easily. Just make sure you add fencing in an L around the edges so a passing, stray dog or cat can't dig in after jumping your fence. Stray and unleashed dogs are a serious problem …   more ›

5 Things to Know Today — Sept. 10

Don't miss out on this important information.

The National Weather Service's forecast for today is mostly sunny with a high of 69 degrees. Tonight's forecast is mostly clear with a low of 48. The lowest gas prices in Fenton Sunday afternoon were $3.89 per gallon, according to Mapquest Gas Prices. Stations offering this price were Owen Road BP Food Shop, 3238 Owen Rd.; Speedway #8405 (discount available), 3245 Owen Rd.; Sunoco, 3325 Owen Rd.; Sunoco, 2641 North Rd., and Speedway #5509 (discount available), 3340 Owen Rd. A proposed ordinance on chicken keeping in Fenton hits the spotlight again today, during a public hearing scheduled during the 7:30 p.m. Fenton City Council meeting, at city hall, 301 S. Leroy St. in Fenton. Council set the public hearing to hear input from the …

• Photos (1)

Week in Review: Fenton Natives' Brewery, Hometown Heroes, and Prep Football Season

As usual, there was plenty of news in Fenton this week.

Here is a look at what you might have missed. We provided you with a "sweet" story on Hometown Heroes: The Uncle Ray Family. In addition, Fenton Patch launched a new Readers' Choice question, "Where can you find the best breakfast place in Fenton? On Friday afternoon, the winner was Fenton Coney & Grill, with 43 percent of the vote. Fenton Patch provided a story about Fenton natives Kevin Cary and Matt Ritchey, who are opening their own community-supported brewery in Chicago. Also on Tuesday, we supplied the Police Blotter from the Fenton Police Department, letting you know about two recent break-ins, one at a business and the other at a home. Rifles and other sporting goods equipment were taken from the home, police said. Fenton Patch …

• Photos (7)

Big News Around You -- Back to the Bricks, More on Chicken Issue, Former Holly Woman's Body Discovered

There was a lot of news around Fenton this week.

Here is a list of the top five most interesting stories from the Fenton area this week. 1. Car enthusiasts are coming in droves to Flint for Back to the Bricks this weekend. On Friday, the Flint Journal provided a guide to parking and getting downtown. 2. Fenton Patch reported Monday about two Fenton High School graduates, Kevin Cary and Matt Ritchey, who are opening their own brewery in Chicago. 3. The body of former Holly woman, Katie Cook, was discovered on a Gaines Township farm, the Flint Journal said on Wednesday. Cook, who was 23 when she disappeared, was located after a tip to Mt. Morris Police Chief Scott McKenna. 4. Fenton City Council has set a public hearing for its meeting on Sept. 10, so residents can voice their opinions on …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (3)

Public Hearing Set for Sept. 10, on Chicken Keeping in Fenton

Fenton City Council is asking for residents' opinions on chickens in the city, at an upcoming meeting.

Fenton Council Could Decide to Allow Chickens Monday

Number of birds would be three hens; annual permit would be needed and fines possible for violating ordinance.

On Monday, Fenton City Council could decide to allow the keeping of chickens, via an annual permit for those who meet requirements. But the number of chickens council members are considering isn't enough to provide eggs for a family of five, says resident Malissa Bossardet, who has been fighting to keep her chickens for several months. She's striving for a more sustainable lifestyle, Bossardet said. And the three chickens the city would allow isn't enough to provide for three children in a family of five people. The proposal would require chicken owners to obtain an annual permit from the city, said Fenton city attorney Stephen Schultz. The main question remaining for city council to answer is the number of chickens allowed, Schultz said. …

•  10 Comments
• Photos (1)

Fenton Councilman Asks for Answer to Chicken Question

Les Bland is encouraging residents to come to Monday's council meeting and weigh in with their thoughts on the issue.

After seven months, it's time for Fenton to make a decision on whether to allow chicken keeping in the city, Councilman Les Bland said at Monday's worksession. "It's making us look like idiots," Bland said. "I get comments on it every day. ... We need to give them an answer." The issue went to the Fenton Planning Commission, which decided to let it die without tabling it or voting on it, said Councilman Ben Smith. Smith represents the council on the planning commission. Smith said he'll vote against an ordinance allowing chicken keeping, whether it allows one chicken or 20. "My feeling is, chickens don't belong in a city," he said. Since the planning commission didn't look at the issue and do their jobs, it's up to council, Bland said. …

•  5 Comments
• Photos (1)

sassyme

10:10 am on Monday, July 9, 2012

Jane, you live in Holly, which explains your post.   more ›

Fenton Hatches Proposal to Allow Keeping Chickens

Council debates number of hens and roofing outdoor pens; Planning Commission and city attorney to review proposed ordinance.

Fenton is hatching a new ordinance that would allow chicken keeping in some residential areas of the city. Council discussed a proposed ordinance at Monday's work session, and the proposal will now go to the Planning Commission and city attorney for their input, City Manager Lynn Markland said. Zoning Administrator Brad Hissong said he's been in business for 40 years, and it's the first time he's dealt with chickens. He and city planning consultant Carmine Avantini, with the city attorney's review, developed a proposed ordinance. Other Michigan cities have ordinances allowing the keeping of chickens, Avantini said. Fenton's proposal would allow chicken keeping for detached single family houses, in single family residential areas. In …

•  18 Comments
• Photos (1)