Chickens can now come to roost in Lewiston

After a decade of being on the front burner, back burner or off the stove entirely, Lewiston residents can finally have a chicken in every pot.

The Lewiston City Council approved an ordinance Monday night by a vote of 5-2 that allows the raising of poultry in all residential zones. The practice had been mostly restricted to the Lewiston Orchards.

Mayor Jim Kleeburg let out a sigh of relief that the issue had been addressed, at least for now. It first arose 10 years ago when he was a member of the Lewiston Planning and Zoning Commission.

"I am thoroughly happy that we finally have some resolution to whether or not we're going to allow chickens," Kleeburg said, noting the council can attempt to unscramble the egg if problems arise. "If it becomes some hideous chicken nightmare, we'll have to deal with it at that time."

Councilors Jesse Maldonado and Bob Blakey voted against the ordinance. Maldonado said he has been hearing steady opposition from Normal Hill residents as he has been campaigning for city council candidate Cari Miller. People said they are afraid of what will happen if their neighbors get chickens, and whether the city's lone code enforcement officer will be able to handle complaints.

Blakey said he has spoken with residents who said chickens are inappropriate for the relatively small lot sizes that exist on much of Normal Hill, and are afraid that chickens nearby will spoil their sense of privacy.

Other members of the council spoke in favor of the chicken ordinance, as did two residents. Shannon Bennett said she kept chickens when she lived in another town, and they attracted neighbors to stop and chat. The good community relations inspired by her six chickens helped increase neighborhood safety, she said.

"Besides that, they're entertaining," Bennett said.

David Knittel said he's been appealing to the city for five years to expand access to chickens.

"Chickens are a great source of protein with the eggs, and also the meat," he said.

Knittel said raising poultry gives families a good opportunity to teach children responsibility. Chickens are quieter and create less waste than most dogs, he said, create good fertilizer and keep insects in check.

The council approved the ordinance with one amendment presented by Councilor Clinton Daniel. New language will add a "friendly neighbor" clause that will allow a resident to ignore the ordinance's setback requirements with the written permission of the adjacent property owner.

Kleeburg asked what would happen when that adjoining property is sold. City Planner Joel Plaskon said that when property changes hands, the waiver would be an attached condition.

"So they would know what they were getting," Plaskon said of prospective buyers.

In other business, the council unanimously approved a franchise agreement with the Port of Lewiston for the construction and leasing of a "dark fiber" network in the city. The port plans on leasing the fiber-optic lines to future Internet service providers.

In return for allowing the placement of lines in its right of way, the city will receive a 5 percent franchise fee based on the port's gross revenues from the operation. City Manager Jim Bennett estimated the agreement would net the city between $50,000 and $100,000 in fees per year.

Port commissioners are meeting at noon Wednesday to consider the agreement. Councilor Ged Randall warned the council he has been hearing that the port commissioners might question the 5 percent fee. If the port votes to change that number, the council will have to reconsider its action.

Bennett said the city based the 5 percent figure on the franchise fee charged to Lewiston's main Internet service provider, Cable One.

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Mills may be contacted at jmills@lmtribune.com or (208) 848-2266.