One month after the Jefferson City Council changed its ordinance to allow beekeeping in the City, they were faced with another request to allow chickens within the City limits.

City Administrator Mike Palmer says the current ordinance does not allow any agriculture animal in the City which includes horse, pigs, chickens or cattle.  However, information was presented to the Council at their meeting last week and Palmer adds the Council allowed for it to be referred to the Planning and Zoning Commission.

He explains why the issue must be addressed first by the Planning and Zoning Commission.

“That’s the proper sequence because it is a zoning change or would be a zoning change to allow chickens in the City limits.  So it goes to the Planning (and Zoning) Commission and they’ll make a recommendation as to whether they want to entertain the idea to change the zoning code.”

The Council was approached last year about the same topic.  The Council had asked the individual to provide more information so they could make a better decision, but the request just fizzled out.

Certain items that will be addressed by the Commission and if the Council approves the recommendation, than the City Attorney will be required to put the legal language in to change the ordinance.