Council’s chicken decision ruffles feathers in Lisbon

LISBON­ - When Chad Franks parked his truck in front of City Hall last week, his feathered passengers were meant to send a message to the Lisbon leaders inside.

The chicken coop gesture was in response to a unanimous City Council decision June 9 against further discussion on allowing chickens within city limits.

'I want people to be able to see and smell the chickens and be well-informed about what they look and sound like,” he said.

Business owner Jason Owen is backing Franks' effort to reopen the issue, because he said chickens would make an easy market for his plan to produce his own feed.

'I think it's great having local people grow their food, and I want to be able to provide for that,” said Owen, owner and president of Progressive Agricultural Services.

City Council member Doug O'Connor said he is not opposed to chickens but has heard overwhelming calls against allowing them, estimating 95 percent of the city is against the measure. He said he must vote 'the way people tell me to.”

'We're near a farm town, so people are worried that the coyotes, foxes and raccoons or something else could come in looking for an easy meal,” he said.

Cedar Rapids, Marion, Iowa City and Des Moines have measures allowing urban chickens to some extent.

Franks said he figured Lisbon would follow along by allowing something he and others already were doing anyway.

But his efforts to highlight the issue might have backfired. Because of the debate, the council is looking into how to enforce current law, O'Connor said. He declined to give a timetable, but said those who have chickens will be notified and given time to comply.

Lisbon Mayor Berly O'Connor said she is indifferent on the issue, and if more residents changed their minds, the council could revisit it.

For that to happen, O'Connor said at least one council member would have to change his or her vote and request the item be put back on the agenda.

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