Recently our family joined more than 80 other citizens in attending “Livable Redmond,” an event held last month at City Hall.
Andy Wappler, former meteorologist for KIRO TV, now with Puget Sound Energy, gave a keynote speech, and then small groups gathered to discuss what a sustainable Redmond is or could be. The city defines sustainability as meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
One issue raised by several citizens involved increasing access to locally grown food, including changing the Redmond City ordinance that currently prohibits backyard chickens on average residential lots.
Seattle, Bellevue, Sammamish, Kirkland, Woodinville and hundreds of other forward-thinking cities around the country have enthusiastically embraced backyard chickens in support of local food and sustainability. Redmond needs to take this step forward to allow citizens to keep a small number of backyard hens (no roosters, please).
Three hens can provide an abundance of protein-rich eggs right in your backyard. If sustainability is a serious goal for Redmond, the council should support this movement that can reduce fuel spent on transporting eggs from commercial operations to stores, and from stores to homes.
In addition to being fresh and delicious, some studies have shown “pastured” eggs provide more nutrients than commercial eggs. Along with sustainability, food safety is a growing focus, highlighted by the recent recall of over half a billion eggs. Backyard eggs are not exposed to the level of contaminants that can be present in commercial operations. Chickens also provide organic fertilizer for gardens, minimizing the use of chemical fertilizers that can impact our soil and water.
In researching the issue of changing Redmond’s city ordinance, we’ve encountered several myths about backyard chickens:
• “They’re really noisy.” Roosters are noisy, but hens make far less noise than many backyard dogs, and we propose allowing only hens on average residential lots.
• “Chickens smell.” Well, if the coop is kept clean, this isn’t an issue.
• “Chickens attract rodents.” Other things, like cat and dog food, bird feeders, and fallen fruit, can attract rodents, so keeping a clean yard is key, not prohibiting chickens.
• “Chickens will attract coyotes.” Outdoor cats and wild rabbits also attract coyotes. Chicken owners will keep their chickens safe at night, or they won’t have chickens for long.
Every neighboring community compliance officer we’ve talked to indicates they’ve had very few, if any, complaints about chickens. That’s the bottom line.
Redmond is a wonderful city and we applaud their efforts to be livable and green. They’ve taken big steps like building City Hall to be an award-winning “green” building, but the Council shouldn’t ignore the small steps that individual citizens can take to contribute to Redmond’s sustainable future.
If sustainability is really a goal, then Redmond should join all of our surrounding communities and change its ordinance to allow a small number of backyard chickens on average residential lots.
As with any issue, it takes more than a few voices to promote change. Please join us by e-mailing your Redmond City Councilmembers at Council@redmond.gov and contact us at chickensinredmond@gmail.com.
Scott and Kathy Dennis are Redmond residents.
