Pitt Meadows is being asked to reconsider a bylaw that prohibits chickens within city limits.
Wendy Rairdan hopes her letter to council will prompt the city to take a second look at rules that have since been changed in municipalities across Metro Vancouver to allow backyard hens.
She says allowing hens is a significant step towards sustainable living, allowing residents to raise their own chickens will give them access to an inexpensive and healthy source of organic food.
“My family will be one of the first to raise hens on our 0.25 acre lot in Pitt Meadows, if a suitable bylaw is passed,” said Rairdan, who has already sketched out plans for her chicken coop.
“My husband and I feel this is a great opportunity for educating our son and daughter on various aspects of science, nature, economics, as well as provide a framework for the ongoing discussion of the origin of food for our family.”
Vancouver, Surrey, New Westminster, Nanaimo and Victoria already allow residents to raise chickens in their backyards, with restriction the number of hens, as well as the size and location of coops.
Council discussed Rairdan’s letter during a committee meeting last week and support her request for changes.
Pitt Meadows recently amended a bylaw to allow residents to keep backyard beehives.
Mayor Deb Walter said city staff, however, have a packed scheduled for 2012 and won’t be able to tackle the chicken until next year.
“I am supportive of this with proper safeguards,” said Coun. Bruce Bell.
“Other cities allow chicken, so I think we should, too.”
Coun. Gwen O’Connell said a few residents already have chickens in their backyards.
“We’ve got lots of illegal ones, so we might as well make the