If a Selma resident has their way, the Town of Selma will become chicken friendly. No, we’re not crying fowl.
Angela Parrish from Bennett Drive appeared before the Selma Town Council on Tuesday asking the Board to consider allowing backyard chicken coops. Current ordinances do not allow chicken coops in the city limits, but Parrish says some property do have them, although it is illegal under present ordinances.
Parrish said cities like Cary, Raleigh, Richmond, Baltimore, Chicago and New York City allow backyard chickens.
She said chickens are a good resource of food, make great pets, produce eggs and fertilizer, reduce household food costs, eat weeds and food scraps, and reduce the carbon footprint. Backyard chickens could also be the starting point for an egg sharing program with neighbors.
While not promising any changes in the current ordinances, the Board did agree to look into the issue of backyard chickens during a future work session next year.
Smithfield Said No In 2012
In June 2012, the Smithfield Town Council unanimously rejected a request to allow up to 8 chickens per household. Town Manager Paul Sabiston said at the time chickens could potentially create an unmanageable workload for the part-time code enforcement officer, health issues, property values, and even potentially discouraging people from locating to Smithfield. One proponent of the 2012 request suggested Smithfield rename the Ham & Yam Festival to the Ham, Yam & Egg Festival.
Another resident presented a petition signed by 71 homeowners saying they didn’t want to see Smithfield become “Chickenville.”
