Dorr Twp. finally adopts ordinance to approve keeping chickens

by Robert M. Traxler

The Dorr Township Board Thursday evening re-examined its tabling of nine updated ordinance amendments submitted in August by the Township Planning Commission and decided to approve them.

One of the nine closely followed by people in Dorr Township is the one allowing people to keep chickens in the B-1 residential zoning district. The proposed rules would allow keeping up to 10 chickens under certain restrictions on residential property. The new rules not only allow increase the maximum number of hens, but also eliminate the need to get permits from the zoning administrator. They call for at least an eight-foot distance from property lines and waive the need for 200 feet between the chicken coops and the residence.

Trustee John Tuinstra, who was successful in having the ordinance update proposals tabled last month, requested the effective date be changed from seven to 30 days after approval. Supervisor Jeff Miling said the people have waited long enough, and that adding three weeks to the wait will not help anyone.

The Planning Commission had met for more than a year with Township Planner Tim Johnson to go over the proposed revisions and finally came up with the recommendations earlier in the summer. But the Township Board tabled them in its Aug. 29 meeting because of Tuinstra’s objections to wording and definitions.

Since then Tuinstra has had a long conversation with the township planner and he indicated Thursday night that his objections have been significantly reduced. The nine ordinances and revisions were taken individually, and with a few minor changes were approved

Tuinstra’s motion to delay the effective date to 30 days was rejected by a 5 to 2 vote, with Trustee Patty Senneker casting the other vote agreeing with Tuinstra.

Trustee Dan Weber then asked Tuinstra if the township will be billed for Johnson’s extra time spent with Tuinstra, and how much it would cost. Tuinstra said he did not know if the hours of discussion would be billed or not, nor did he know the cost.

PHOTO: John Tuinstra