Following interests expressed by a few District of West Vancouver residents, district council decided to bring the idea of changing its bylaws to allow for backyard chicken keeping to a public consultation process.
As interests in keeping plumed pets has grown in the Lower Mainland in recent years, the district, which currently bans the keeping of backyard chickens, called for a staff report last November to look into the potential of allowing backyard chickens.
One concern raised by the North Shore Black Bear Society in the recently completed report, was the potential chickens could have on attracting bears, something Coun. Michael Lewis had concerns with as well.
“We really do have to make sure that there are no public health or safety concerns that are insurmountable. I have not yet been convinced that a wildlife attractant being encouraged to be dispersed amongst the residential areas in the community is a good idea,” said Lewis, who cited recent cougar sightings in the district as a reason for his concern as well.
However, Coun. Mary-Ann Booth, who said she grew up on a farm, said she never experienced chickens being an attractant to bears. Booth did admit though that changing the bylaw is a big question to consider going into the public consultation process.
Coun. Nora Gambioli attested bears were not a problem for her family either who kept chickens in West Vancouver when she was a child and for many years afterwards. She did, however, want to know what percentage of the population in other municipalities that allow backyard coops actually take up the opportunity, as well as whether or not those municipalities require electric fences to deter potential wildlife as recommended in the report by the North Shore Black Bear Society and WildSafeBC.
Gambioli also took issue with use of the term “chicken” when the bylaw, as in other municipalities, would only allow for the keeping of hens. “I really think we should change the terminology to ‘backyard hens’ which is what most of the other municipalities use to my knowledge.”
In the end, council voted unanimously in favour of bringing the motion to a public consultation process.
A public survey will be available online at westvancouver.ca/westvancouverITE, as well as a planned open house to gather resident views in the next 30 days. Staff will then report back to council to recommend the next steps to take.
