The issue of chickens in the City of Wayland has been settled, and proponents will be disappointed.

The City Council Monday night voted 6-1 not to proceed any further with developing an ordinance allowing up to 10 residences to keep a maximum of four birds on their properties.

It was not a hasty decision. The council has had three public hearings on the issue, one specifically for those who oppose, one for those who would approve and one for the public in general. The latter hearing attracted fewer citizens than city officials.

City Manager Josh Eggleston told the council he got in touch with veterinarian Henry Reinart of the Pickle Street practice in Monterey Township, who told him the reason for the recommendation not to have chickens within a four-mile radius of a poultry business is that when bird flu strikes, all chickens in that defined area are euthanized for health reasons.

“It’s all a matter of risk,” the city manager told council members. “And a lot of veterinarians won’t won’t provide care to backyard chickens” because they prefer to service poultry operations. “So care may not be available.”

Eggleston noted that some surrounding townships permit chickens, but, “We have to make a decision on what’s best for us (not Hopkins or Dorr). I think that has to be consideration we have to make.”

He added that allowing chickens with many regulations only increases more enforcement needs.

“We would be monitoring things we’re not qualified to do.”

Councilman Tim Rose, who cast the only vote to continue working on a proposed ordinance, said, “The people who are pushing this are people who have a lot of experience in dealing with chickens.”

Counciwoman Jennifer Antel said, however, “I was a proponent of chickens at first, but with a commerical facility within four miles, I don’t feel comfortable with this. I say we walk away from the chickens.”

The Dykstra Farm on 136th Avenue is a commercial poultry business located within the four-mile radius.

Councilman Joe Kramer said, “I asked around and the only people who wanted this is people who want to have chickens.”

Councilman Rick Mathis said he applauds the citizens who showed up to seek ordinance passage, noting, “They’ve done their homework. But experts have told us this is not a good idea.”

It was Kramer who moved to terminate any more work on a proposed ordinance, thereby relieving Eggleston of the duties associated with researching and crafting an ordinance.

In other business at Monday night’s meeting, the City Council:

• Officially approved the purchase agreement with Keith Nickels and Josh Otto for an odd-shaped parcel in the industrial park at 1135 133rd Ave. The purchase price was only $20,000, but the city had been unable to unload the property over almost 20 years.

• Approved an agreement for taking trees on the property of Dr. Michael DeWeerd on East Superior Street.

• Attempted to remind residents they are permitted to rake or blow their leaves to the curb for pickup, but burning leaves within the city limits is strictly verboten.

• Listened to Antel express frustration about the lack of a student representative from Wayland High School at the meetings even though it is nearly December.