The Crown Point City Council has laid new rules on residents about raising their own chickens and other types of farm animals and exotic pets on their property.
Amending its existing ordinance at Monday’s meeting, the council adopted more specific definitions of both domestic and exotic animals. It also defined the differences between a chicken coop and chicken run and what constitutes a beehive.
Accordingly, residents are not allowed to raise chickens in an open or enclosed structure, bees neither, within 400 feet of another dwelling.
Councilwoman Dawn Stokes, D-2 nd, explained that enough residents had been inquiring with the city about raising chickens that the council realized the ordinance on the books was rather vague.
She noted that raising chickens on residential property had been allowed in years past, but that there had been various issues and it was something the city decided to no longer permit.
The ordinance also includes requirements about the accumulation and dispersal of manure and dead animals. Additionally, animals are protected by making it unlawful for an animal to remain outdoors without access to appropriate shelters from the elements, and that they be provided with fresh water and adequate amounts of nutritious food.
The council tied in fines for violators, ranging from $100 to $2,500 per occurrence.
In other action, the council approved the relocation of two commercial businesses to locations zoned for industrial (I-1) use.
Crown Point Toys will move from its Main Street location to the 1900 block of Summit Street, and a medical clinic is moving from its Winfield location to the 500 block of Summit. The Crown Point Board of Zoning Appeals previously gave favorably recommendation to the zoning variance requests.
Jim Masters is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
