ARCHDALE, N.C. (WGHP) — Archdale community members met with city leaders Tuesday to discuss the future of allowing livestock and fowl within city limits.
FOX8 spoke with people who are against the current law. They said they feel the law is outdated, and they are fighting to be allowed to keep chickens and other livestock within Archdale city limits.
While Megan McGrath lives in Archdale, her chickens roam in her brother’s backyard in Trinity.
“When I found out that I had to get rid of them, I really did research on the ordinance and found out when it was last updated, people that have fought against it before and been turned down, and just saw that there needs to be a change,” said McGrath.
Since 1970, chickens and other livestock, including horses, goats and fowl like ducks, have not been allowed within city limits.
McGrath’s neighbors in Archdale, Michelle and Curtis Reeves, said they’ve gone to city council meetings before to try to get the law changed but have not had success.
“We went at least three or four times and spoke pretty fervently in favor of getting the chickens, but I don’t feel that we moved the needle,” said Curtis Reeves.
“This is to the point now that, if this doesn’t pass, I think it’s time for me to pick up and move on. Because, strangely, I can move literally three miles in any direction and this would not be an issue, because, when we did our research, we found that 92% of the United States allows chickens. I’m still yet to discover what’s so unique or special about Archdale,” said Curtis Reeves.
Reeves and McGrath both previously owned chickens on their properties before being notified by the city that it was against the city’s law. They were told they could face fines or even jail time each day those animals were there.
McGrath says chickens are useful for laying eggs, deterring unwanted insects and rodents and helping in the garden with their waste.
“They also provide, you know, waste, which a lot of people have issues with the waste, but that waste can actually turn into fertilizer for your gardens. I use it in my gardens. I use cow manure and the waste from the chickens for the little time I had them, and it actually can produce more fruitful plants,” said McGrath.
A spokesperson from the City of Archdale commented on the proposal and said that, while it has been centered on supporting chickens, their flyer also refers to goats, ducks, rabbits and other animals.
They say any proposal of that scope would require a careful discussion about impacts on neighborhoods, enforcement and fairness.
Source: Fox 8 News Channel
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