City of Orillia scratching for input on chicken coop pilot project

The City of Orillia is looking for feedback on its backyard chicken coop pilot project.

It began two years ago and will end June 5.

“As the City of Orillia backyard hen pilot project winds down, we want to gather feedback from the public regarding the success of the pilot and how you would like the City to proceed. This initiative was championed by residents eager to bring backyard hens to Orillia. We now want to connect back with the community to see if that desire remains.”

– Mayor Steve Clarke

Just three of the 10 backyard coop licences that were made available were snapped up. City staff have been making random spot checks of the three locations. There have been no issues or complaints to date.

While licence holders continue collecting eggs, staff will be collecting feedback until March 18 and report back to council on how to proceed.

Currently, the number of hens in a coop is limited to four hens over the age of four months.  Roosters are prohibited and a property must be at least 500 sq. m. (5,382 sq. ft.) in size to accommodate a hen coop. There are also restrictions regarding the location of the hen coop on a property and a licensing fee of $100 is required.

Here’s how to weigh in:

• Online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MNBFHDW
• By email to Ali Chapple, Intermediate Planner, at achapple@orillia.ca, or to Susan Votour, Planning Coordinator, at svotour@orillia.ca
• By mail addressed to “Backyard Hens” care of City Centre, 50 Andrew St. S., Suite 300, Orillia, Ontario L3V 7T5.

Deadline for feedback is March 18, 2019 at 4:30 p.m.-