Discussion will continue at Monday evening’s Iola City Council meeting concerning the allowance of chickens within the city. Proposed language for an ordinance to allow chickens in single-family residential zones will be presented to the council. If the majority of the council agrees, city staff will bring an ordinance to the April 22 council meeting for final consideration and action.
At the March 25 council meeting, resident Robin Lohman spoke to council members and presented them a request form to legalize housing chickens in residential zones. At the time, she suggested the council adopt an ordinance similar to the City of Ottawa which would allow residents to have chickens for egg production or to raise for show in fairs or similar events. A person could have up to six chickens (16 weeks of age or older) or up to eight chicks per tract of land, regardless of how many houses are on the tract.
Council member Jon Wells expressed concern with possible issues that could arise pertaining to the recently passed ordinance that helps distinguish whether a dog is a nuisance, dangerous, or vicious.
“Theoretically, if a chicken gets into my yard and my dog attacks it, my dog would be classified as vicious,” he said. “Unless we add a caveat to that ordinance, I’m not okay with moving forward with allowing chickens in town.”
Council members Joelle Shallah and Kim Peterson also had concerns with the request.
“I get the sustainability part of it,” Shallah said. “I understand that your intentions are great and I can see terrific follow-through from those passionate about it. There are going to be those who are going to fall short. The bottom line is, it’s going to become a nuisance.”
Peterson noted that if implemented, the ordinance should have strict guidelines to follow.
“Coops should be at least 50 feet away from the house next door,” she said, noting the importance of being respectful of neighbors.
IN OTHER NEWS, council members will hear a presentation on the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) by Assistant Director Dacia Clark. The SBDC for the region is associated with Pittsburg State University and serves as a resource and support center for small businesses. SBDC works to “facilitate small business development and subsequent economic growth,” providing “startup and existing businesses with assistance in planning, financing, budgeting, management, and operations.”
Council members will consider an ordinance that would approve re-zoning of the property at 702 Scott. The Planning Commission held a public hearing on March 19 to review the application from Iola Industries. Iola Industries is requesting a zoning change from R-2 Family Residential to Industrial.
Current zoning does not allow for the property to be used by the adjacent businesses. The property is in the flood plain and city staff believes there has never been any residential housing located there. The Planning Commission has unanimously agreed to send a positive recommendation for the re-zoning to the city council.
City administration will also seek direction from the council concerning an increase in a lease agreement with Iola Industries. A five-year lease for $600 per month between the City of Iola and Iola Industries for Columbia Metals expired on Jan. 1. The lease payment covers insurance costs the city provides for buildings utilized by Columbia Metals.
The current lease revenue has not covered the entire annual insurance costs over the years. City administration is recommending the payment be increased to $800 per month, along with changing the terms to a rolling one-year lease.
The last item to be discussed will be the consideration of a bid for the annual tree trimming project.
The council has allocated $100,000 for the project within the Electric Distribution Fund. With these funds, city staff anticipates 450 to 500 hours of trimming this summer and fall by the selected company. The city received three bids, with the low bid from Poor Boy Tree Service, Inc. at $54,823.50.
