Just Us Chickens: Ordinance Survives First Test in Inver Grove Heights

It was the first test of the new regulations for so-called backyard chickens in Inver Grove Heights. And let's just say neither party laid an egg. 

The Inver Grove Heights City Council unanimously approved an application form Richard and Dody Sobaszkiewicz Monday night, allowing them to keep a pre-existing chicken coop within the city limits. 
Deputy Clerk Melissa Kennedy said the city did receive one complaint, from a neighbor, about some noise from the chickens. The neighbor, who was not named in the council's report, said the noise during the evening sometimes "prohibits them from using their deck in the summer," Kennedy said. 
But member Rosemary Piekarski Krech said she felt the chickens made less noise than would a neighborhood dog, and, she added, they only make noise when laying eggs. 
"It usually happens about 2 or 3 p.m.," she told her council members. "It's not at night. Chickens actually like to sleep at night." 
Several council members remarked that was different from dogs, for sure. 
"It's the little ones that make the big noises," said member Dennis Mueller. 
The chicken ordinance was approved in April of this year, after nearly two years of discussion. 
Former Councilor Bill Klein strongly opposed the ordinance amendment when it was first introduced for discussion back in 2011. However, his departure cleared the way for a change last spring. 
"This is a couple that actually had the chickens in place prior to the code change," Kennedy said. "Our staff members have been out there and made sure everything fits within the codes as they are now." 
Mayor George Tourville said the city will continue to leave the chicken discussion really in the hands of the public at large. 
"I think it's up to the neighbors to really discuss and see if they're O.K. with it," he said. "Tonight, it looks good." 
The council approved the chicken coop 5-0.