Chickens Denied: Planning and Zoning Commissions Says No to Urban Chickens

Chicken ownership in St. Peters is not looking likely after Wednesday’s Planning and Zoning Commission meeting.

A change in the city code was proposed that would allow so-called urban chickens to live within city limits. Led by Aldermanic representative Patrick Barclay, the Planning and Zoning Commission voted to recommend to the Board of Aldermen a denial of the code change, keeping St. Peters chicken free.

The denial will be submitted to the Board of Aldermen, who will then vote on the ordinance at the April 28 meeting.

Barclay said he has heard from too many residents and too many homeowners associations to support the code change.

“Almost every homeowners association has it in their covenant to not allow farm animals,” he said. “It’s not just the trustees, I’ve had people all over the city tell me they don’t want this.”

The majority of the Commission agreed with Barclay and the Commission turned down the code change.

Barclay said that the requirements—the coop must be at least six feet from the property line and 25 feet from the nearest building isn’t limiting enough. He said he would propose a change at the BOA meeting to up both numbers, making it harder for residents to qualify for the chicken permit.

Nick Anderson, 13, first raised the chicken issue at a December meeting. Then a 12-year-old, Anderson asked the Board to allow him to raise chickens.

Anderson had hatched eggs as part of a home-school project and asked his parents if he could keep the chickens. The Andersons found out that was against the law and Nick wanted to change the ordinance.

“I don’t really like it personally,” Anderson said of the Commissions decision. “I wish it would move forward.”

Anderson, who has attended all of the meetings on the subject, gave a brief presentation in support of the chickens. He plans to show up at the Board of Aldermen meeting and making his case one last time.

Chickens were brought up at a of the Planning and Zoning Committee, Board of Alderman and Board of Adjustment in February. The three groups heard a presentation that showed both pros and cons of the issues, but ultimately showed that with restrictions, it would be similar to owning a dog.

The city decided to limit residents to four hens that had to be kept in a well-maintained coop. Residents would have to apply for a $40 permit to be allowed to get the chickens and couldn’t get approval until the health department approved the set up.

St. Charles, Kirkwood, Columbia and Kansas City, among other cities, allow urban chickens. 

The Board of Aldermen . The Board raised several objections during the work session meeting.

The chicken issue is not dead, however. The BOA can choose to go against the recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Committee at the April 28 meeting.

• The Planning and Zoning Commission approved seven home occupation requests. Most dealt with using the home as an office for clerical work.
• The Commission approved site plans for American Elite Security and Krey Distributing Co.
• Mid Rivers Mall was granted permission to host a carnival again this spring. That mall has had a carnival since 1989.  The carnival will be located at same places it has been in previous years. It will have 16 rides and 18 skill games. The games will remain open from May 11 to May 15.
• The Commission approved a temporary haunted house for Godar Construction.
• Wal-Mart was given permission to have an outdoor clearance tent.
• A Storage Inn had its architectural review approved.