A proposal to ban roosters and limit the number of chickens per yard in Des Moines has hit a potential roadblock: The city manager is recommending revisions for a "better path forward."
The recommendation comes days after a chicken parade circled City Hall in protest of the proposed ordinance changes.
City Manager Scott Sanders is urging the City Council to disapprove the second reading of the ordinance, according to a news release the city issued Friday evening.
On July 22, the Des Moines City Council gave initial approval to the changes in city policy , citing residents' complaints over noise and cleanliness. The proposal would ban roosters and slash the number of fowl ― larger domestic birds including chickens, turkeys and ducks ― from 25 per acre to 12 per yard. Members approved the measure's first reading at a special meeting in a 6-1 vote. Council member Josh Mandelbaum provided the lone no vote.
At the meeting, council member Linda Westergaard said that the proposed changes were "a long time coming" and that she's heard repeated concerns from residents who are disturbed by roosters' "nonstop crowing all year long."
While acknowledging that a lot of people in Des Moines have chickens, Westergaard said "there are also a lot of people that live next door to where chickens and roosters are, and they are being disturbed of their peace and quiet. They are disturbed by the smell. They are disturbed by the uncleanliness of everything in these backyards."
Mandelbaum urged council members to take a narrower approach. He said he opposed reducing the number of chickens and wanted to allow people to keep roosters but to do so without disturbing their neighbors.
On Monday, July 29, dozens of protesters ― plus some chickens and roosters ― flocked to Des Moines City Hall to protest the proposed changes .
Sanders has asked Assistant City Manager Malcolm Hankins to work with the city's legal department to draft an amendment that will better serve the entire community, the release said.
"After listening to Council Member concerns at the July 22 Council meeting, we believe there is a better path forward for an amendment to this ordinance at a later date," Hankins said in the release.
The release said Hankins plans to propose an ordinance "that will still allow roosters but provide for the licensing of chickens and better enforcement of nuisance animals which perpetually disturb the peace and quiet enjoyment of the neighborhood," the release said.
In addition to reviewing the amended ordinance, Hankins says the city will prioritize better coordination with the Animal Rescue League, which enforces the city’s animal ordinance.
Virginia Barreda contributed to this report.
Kyle Werner is a reporter for the Register. Reach him at kwerner@dmreg.com.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Des Moines proposal to ban roosters, limit chickens hits possible snag from city manager
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