Council gets first look at new chicken regs

Columbia Falls residents may soon be allowed to raise chickens on small city lots, and investors considering a microbrewery here may soon have the needed zoning in place.

The Columbia Falls City Council approved several amendments to the city’s subdivision regulations and zoning regulations during public hearings on April 2 that will bring the code in compliance with state law and eliminated outdated wording.

Zoning text amendments initially approved by the council also included allowing “assembly halls” in the uptown business district, which permits Glacier Discovery Square and farmers markets; allowing microbreweries in the uptown business district and on the U.S. 2 strip; allowing up to five chickens or other fowl, but no roosters, on properties with less than one acre; and providing a new definition for RVs.

Brian and Janina Hobday and Naomi Morrison spoke in favor of chickens. Janina Hobday noted the health benefits of free-roaming vs. “factory-bred” chickens. She also pointed out that trains and the 16 dogs in her neighborhood are noisier than chickens, and that fruit trees, trash and small pets will attract predators as much as chickens.

A proposed amendment regulating vacation rentals will be delayed while Mulcahy and city staff continue talks with Meadow Lake Resort to protect its long-standing resort business plan. A proposed sign ordinance amendment that would clarify how the maximum size of a sign is calculated will also be delayed while more information is gathered.

Planning consultant Eric Mulcahy said he believed Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks will provide letters about potential wildlife impacts for proposed subdivisions as a subdivision regulation amendment now requires.

The proposed changes will come back to the council for final approval as a series of ordinances.