Why not Raytown?

Public Interest in Raising Chickens Grows

BY GREG WALTERS

Ward 2 Alderman Jim Aziere has started a discussion to address the desire of Raytown residents to raise chickens. Some on the Board see the merit in his opinions. Other members of the Board are openly hostile to the suggestion.

Mr. Aziere brought up an interesting topic at last Tuesday’s meeting of the Board of Aldermen. He questioned why the city’s guidelines in Raytown are so restrictive.

His questions have merit.

Most cities in the Kansas City metropolitan area allow homeowners to raise chickens on their property. The process is not complicated. A permit or license is usually not required.

The increased interest in egg laying hens is understandable. The current cost of one dozen Grade A large eggs at a local grocery store this week is advertised at $3.79 for white eggs.( Brown eggs cost $3.99 per dozen).

Chicken eggs are a marvel of nature. They come in their own natural package and include nutritious ingredients.

One egg has only 75 calories but contains 7 grams of high-quality protein, 5 grams of fat, and 1.6 grams of saturated fat, along with iron, vitamins, minerals, and carotenoids. The egg is a powerhouse of disease-fighting nutrients like lutein and zeaxanthin.

A quick search of surrounding municipalities shows Raytown has the most restrictive guidelines for raising chickens in a city.

CITY                                                               DISTANCE TO NEIGHBOR’S HOME                      DISTANCE TO PROPERTY LINE

RAYTOWN                      100 FEET                        25 FEET

LEE’S SUMMIT                 40 FEET                       10 FEET

PRAIRIE VILLAGE           25 FEET                        10 FEET

Aziere proposed the Board reduce the distance between homes and property lines be reduced in Raytown to match standards set in other communities. The Board voted not to consider the question at this time.

Alderman Greg Walters asked and received an opinion from the City Attorney in which she advised the question could be brought back at a later time with different restrictions.

Our View . . . 
We have noted before on these pages that Raytown has a reputation for excessive fees and rules when it comes to the rights of homeowners to use their properties as they wish. The setback required for raising chickens on residential properties is an example of over-reach by City Hall.

At last Tuesday’s meeting of the Raytown Board of Aldermen, Alderman Jim Aziere took the first step in addressing the problem.

The people that run our city should be working to find ways to allow Raytowners to make full use of their activities on their own property. Aziere made a motion (seconded by Greg Walters) to establish more rational distances between homes for the raising of hens to lay eggs in Raytown.

The vote fell short of reaching that goal.

However, there is room for compromise of reducing the setbacks to more reasonable distances.

HOW THEY VOTED: Reducing the setback required for raising hens in Raytown for the purpose of harvesting eggs.

YES:          Aziere, Walters, Ward

NO:           Mary Jane VanBuskirk, Bill VanBuskirk,
                  Janet Emerson, Ian Scott, Loretha Hayden,
                  Ryan Myers
ABSENT:  Bonnaye Mims

 

BY GREG WALTERS

Planning and Zoning Commission fails to
reach Consensus
on Miniature Goats

The Planning and Zoning Commission has nine members. Last Thursday only six members were on hand to conduct the second Public Hearing on miniature goats

After close to three hours of testimony from the public the Commission was unable to reach a consensus on what direction to take on the issue.
 
Three of the members voted to recommend approval with some minor changes. When role call was taken on the issue, the Commission split 3 yes to 3 no.
 
A second motion that would have voted down recommendations from city staff also ended in a 3 yes, 3 no vote.
 
The issue will now go back to the Board of Aldermen for consideration.  That meeting is scheduled to be held at Raytown City Hall on Tuesday, August 16^th at 7:00 p.m.
 
There will be a public hearing at the meeting. The public is invited to participate in the public hearing.

Our View . . .
Here is an interesting fact to come out of recent discussions at City Hall.

According to Chris Gilbert, who is tasked as the City’s representative at Planning and Zoning meetings, there are 100 to 130 homes in our city with large yards over one acre in size. The one acre size needed to raise miniature goats is the same as used for those who own horses and stable them on their property

There is a national trend taking place in communities across America. People are changing. Whereas the standard may have once been a two card garage with ample living space, some people now want more.

They want to enjoy a life style that allows them to live in a large city while also enjoying the life of a hobby farmer.

The discussion on miniature goats issue has drawn a lot of attention to Raytown. The Kansas City Star ran a guest editorial which asked “Lots of Kansas City municipalities let you raise mini goats as pets. Why not Raytown?”

Nearly all of our local television news stations and even some radio stations have picked up on the story as well. The over-whelming coverage has been good for our city.

The public has not been silent on the issue of miniature goats.

ALL of Mr. Bergen’s neighbors, including those who own adjoining property, have signed a petition in support of his proposal to raise miniature goats.

According to Chris Gilbert, City Hall received approximately 50 letters on the topic. Many of those letters were genuinely interested in the proposal. Most of the letter writers expressed their support allowing miniature goats in Raytown.

 A local business began a petition drive that garnered over 50 signatures in just two days of support from the public.

This support demonstrates Raytowners are willing to step up and welcome those who wish to enjoy the comforts of urban living and the comforts of large acreage yards that can support raising small farm animals, large vegetable gardens and even start up small orchards.

This movement is not entirely new – but the evidence is around us. Drive by The Stables located on 63^rd Street. The huge garden you see is a community garden. It is a place for those who do not have the room to grow a garden to experience the joy of growing their own food.

Mr. Bergen and his family are at the forefront of this opportunity. We should work with them to make their dream a reality.