The Sturgis City Commission will meet Wednesday evening at city hall (130 N. Ottawa St.) for a regularly scheduled meeting at 6 p.m. One of the topics to be discussed will be the first reading of a proposed urban chickens ordinance.
The meeting will kick off with a presentation by William Prichard on the Cottage Court project. The Sturgis Housing Commission has been in discussions with city staff on this project and are proposing a development of clustered single-family housing at 208 N. Prospect St. The location is currently a vacant parcel owned by the Sturgis Housing Development Corporation.
In new business, the topic of urban chickens will once again be discussed as the commission will hear the first reading of an urban chickens ordinance. The planning commission has been developing and structuring the proposed ordinance over the last few months, and included conversations and public input while determining language for the ordinance. At a public meeting on July 18, Department of Public Safety Director Ryan Banaszak provided information on enforcement of this ordinance at the request of the planning commission.
If an urban chicken were to be permitted in the city, the following ordinance sections would need to be amended or added:
• Addition of City Code of Ordinance section 10.65. – Urban Chickens
• Amendments to section 10.64. – Keeping of animals, fowl, etc. restricted
• Amendment to section 1.1105. – Accessory buildings, structures and uses
• Relating to “Chicken Coops”
• Amendment to section 1.1401. – Building Permits
• Exempting separate permits for accessory structures and fences that are included as part of an urban chicken permit
• Amendment to section Appendix B. – Fine Schedule and Fee Schedule
- Addition of fees and fines as it pertains to Urban Chickens
The planning commission is not recommending the pursuit of allowing urban chickens to the city commission. However, the planning commission does strongly recommend the city commission place the decision on a future ballot for a vote of the people if choosing to move forward with the ordinance.
Other new business for the evening will include:
- A first reading of amendments to Special Land Use Designated Section 1.0603 and Manufacturing Section 1.0401 related to outdoor storage areas not accessory to a principal building use.
- An approval of bids for the 2023 Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Project, as well as a contingency budget for the 2023 Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Project.
- The commission will vote to set a public hearing for consideration of the fiscal year 2023-2024 budget for 6 p.m. on August 9 during the regular city commission meeting.
- An approval of budget amendments for the fiscal year 2022-2023 in accordance with the Uniform Budgeting and Accounting Act.
- An approval to close N. Clay St. from US-12 to John St. for the Freakin’ End of Summer event on August 18, 2023.
The meeting is set to end with a closed session for union negotiations.
Beca Welty is a staff writer and columnist for Watershed Voice.
