Harrah council debates setbacks, wording in proposed chicken ordinances; staff directed to draft amendments

The Harrah City Council reviewed two proposed ordinances — Ordinance No. 2025-8 (amending Section 4-114 on chicken coops) and Ordinance No. 2025-9 (amending planning, zoning and development sections to allow poultry) — and debated setback requirements and specific wording. Staff explained the purpose of both ordinances and how they would change existing rules for keeping chickens.

Councilmembers raised concerns that proposed setback requirements would limit the number of properties eligible to keep poultry. Some members suggested reducing setbacks from 40 feet to 20 or 30 feet, and changing the separation from neighboring houses and structures from 100 feet to 50 feet. Council also discussed removing language that referenced "breeding."

Council directed staff member Gary to prepare an amended ordinance reflecting the suggested setbacks and wording changes and to return the revised ordinance for future council consideration. No final vote to adopt either ordinance was recorded at the July 3 meeting.