The chickens haven’t come home to roost. Yet. Hancock’s city council opened last evening’s council meeting with a public hearing for its animal ordinance. The city will consider adopting a revised animal ordinance allowing up to four chickens on a resident’s property. Several residents expressed concern that allowing poultry within city limits will invite more animals into the city. Councilor Rick Freeman commented that fears of mice and rats in the town will never go away, however, bears, fishers, coyotes, and other predators are a larger concern.
Calumet is twelve miles away. I know Dollar Bay, five miles that way, but I’m talking north. Houghton’s got cities there that could kind of, you know, chip away at that before the actual predators get into Houghton. Maybe that’s why Houghton hasn’t had it. I’m, not saying any. But. – Rick Freeman, Councilor, City of Hancock
Other residents voiced similar opposition to the ordinance. A minority group spoke in favor of the ordinance citing that many cities and towns in Michigan have some governance on poultry within animal ordinances, including Houghton across the canal.
City Manager Warren there says I have not heard the word chicken. Neither I nor our code enforcement officer have received any calls or complaints. They’ve had chicken organs for several years now. – Carolyn Decker, Resident, Hancock
The City will call a second public hearing for the ordinance. Councilor Whitney Warstler proposed scheduling the meeting before the upcoming election. She expressed concern that the council will not have a full panel by the council meeting in November if no one runs in the Ward Two race. Councilor Lisa McKenzie reminded others that leaving such a large issue on the table does incoming councilors no favor considering the amount of public comment the council has already received.
And also I believe that everyone here has enough information. And the only reason that we did not do it today is because there was an error. And I don’t think it’s appropriate to push it off to the next council. – Lisa McKenzie, Councilor, City of Hancock
Councilor Freeman offered that anyone interested in bringing chickens into the city will not seek to purchase chickens tomorrow. There are items someone will need to purchase and prepare in order to reasonably raise poultry in Hancock.
Where can you buy the chicks right now? You can’t. You can’t buy them. So even if somebody wanted to build a chicken coup and go buy some chicks. You’re not going to find them right now. You’re going to find them in the spring. That’s when you’re going to find them. So that’s my statement. 21 days, I don’t think it will make a difference. – Rick Freeman, Councilor, City of Hancock
Adding that a new councilor has, in the past, voted on items without extensive prior knowledge thanks to the ability to check up during discussion and with the city manager. Such as when Councilor Ryan Tanner was sworn into service and began voting on measures the same evening.
City Manager Mary Babcock reported that the city has not received any submissions to run for city council in Ward Two. The deadline will close on October 25th to file an affidavit of identity to appear as a write-in candidate. Babcock expressed that the city operates better when the council is full and does not require an appointment.
Hancock’s council voted 4 to 3 in favor of calling a special meeting on October 30th. Councilors Freeman, Blau, and Rickard voted against the proposed date. The public hearing will begin at 6 pm. Those interested in running for the Ward Two seat on the Hancock city council should contact city manager Mary Babcock with any questions.
In addition to the animal ordinance, the council supported MDOT moving the Quincy Hill turnout further up the hill. The lookout lies in Quincy Township and rests above private property with very tall trees. MDOT will not trim back the limbs due to liability and has sought solutions for opening the turnout for a better view of the Portage Canal and Keweenaw Peninsula.
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