Debate continues over urban farming policies in Detroit

DETROIT – Some say more and more Detroit residents are interested in raising small animals on their property, such as chickens, ducks and even hives of honey bees.

But after a decade of discussion, Detroit still needs an ordinance regulating or allowing licenses to store them nearby.

“We’ve been hearing this across the city of Detroit for many years,” said Detroit City Council President Pro Tem James Tate. “And here’s a dirty little secret; this is already being done. By many people. Right now. No problem at all.”

Tate is among those who support an effort that will ultimately turn things around.

A draft animal keeping ordinance is currently under consideration, which could allow the licensing of limited numbers of chickens, ducks and honey bee hives on residential properties.

“Under this ordinance, residents will be allowed to own up to eight chickens and/or ducks,” Tate said. “And as many as four hives of honey bees. So not very invasive.

City officials supporting the ordinance said they wanted to make sure beehives and chicken coops were kept 30 feet from neighbors’ homes and 5 feet from property lines.

Some neighbors support the plan. However, some community organizers said they had more questions about the proposed pet keeping ordinance.

The Dees, organizers with Grassroots Detroiters, said the east side Detroit residents they spoke with would like to see more involvement and more details about the proposed ordinance.

“Well, we’re getting mixed reviews,” Ms. Dee said. “A lot of people just don’t know what’s going on with it or don’t have the full understanding to make the right decisions.”

A public hearing on zoning issues related to the proposed pet keeping ordinance will be held at the city’s economic development planning meeting on Thursday, Oct. 31 at 10:05 a.m.

Click here for more information on the proposed Animal Keeping Regulation.