OREM — Eight-year-old Deserrae Laub was happy to take credit for the Orem City Council's decision Tuesday night to allow people who live on lots smaller than an acre to keep chickens.
"I started this whole chicken thing," Deserrae said following the 6-1 vote that ended the prohibition against keeping chickens on smaller residential lots, "because they are real cute, and they are real pretty, and they are real nice to pet."
Councilwoman Karen McCandless acknowledged that Deserrae has sent her plenty of hand-drawn pictures of chickens in her one-girl crusade, but clearly public sentiment was on her side as 15 of 16 individuals who spoke at a public hearing about the change spoke in favor of the chickens.
"I just don't see the logic in not allowing chickens when we allow ducks, which are noisier, and we allow dogs and cats, which wander," said Meredith Seaver, an Orem planning commissioner. "I think this is consistent with the heritage of self-reliance that is part of our community."
Sean Walton, who admitted to keeping chickens illegally, said he had consulted his neighbors before obtaining chickens to help control the pests in his yard.
"Each said, 'Yes, but no roosters.' I was happy to oblige," Walton said. "I've had them for two years, and we continue to have a great relationship with our neighbors. Chickens are unobtrusive and for my family are pets, but we don't keep them in the house."
Van Farnworth, who spoke against the ordinance, complained that the chickens his father raised when he was a child contracted lice, were noisy and attracted predators.
"I think it's a really bad idea for the city, and I hope you'll vote against it," Farnworth said.
City ordinances already allowed residents living on lots 1 acre or larger to keep a variety of farm animals, including up to 20 chickens.
The ordinance passed by the City Council on Tuesday permits chickens based on lot size — from two chickens for a home on a 5,000-square-foot lot up to 12 chickens on a lot of 30,000 square feet or larger. There were no changes for those living on 1 acre or larger lots.
Under the ordinance, no roosters are allowed; chickens must be kept in a coop or chicken tractor (a type of lightweight, movable coop) at least 10 feet from all property lines at night; the enclosure must be cleaned regularly; chickens can't roam free outside a fenced yard; and slaughtering chickens on the property is prohibited.
Councilman Brent Sumner said he didn't have a problem with people who wanted to keep chickens, but he was concerned about neighbors who didn't want chickens next door. Sumner was the lone council member to vote against the ordinance.
In announcing his support for the ordinance, Mayor Jerry Washburn said he was particularly moved by a woman who said she would like to live on a farm and have a rural experience but can't afford it.
"There are a lot of people who would like to have that, and they can't," Washburn said. "I think that the action of this council this evening may give folks a little taste — make that a little touch — of farm life."
At the same time, he warned that approving the ordinance might change the nature of some neighborhoods for people who moved in with no desire for an agricultural experience.
"I think we need to be careful that we don't change the nature of what they expect," Washburn said.
e-mail: mhaddock@desnews.com