The planning commission held a conceptual discussion about drafting a Grosse Ile ordinance to regulate the keeping of chickens and other poultry. Staff advised the group that current township code contains conflicting provisions (zoning prohibits chickens while the township’s animal chapter allows them under certain conditions) and that a reconciled ordinance would replace the inconsistency.

Commissioners discussed several open questions: whether to limit chickens by number or lot size, how to treat waterfront properties, whether to include ducks and other poultry, and whether to permit slaughter on-site. Staff noted examples from another municipality that had considered a pilot program (one to two years) to allow the township to monitor complaints and impacts before finalizing permanent rules.

A resident with subject-matter expertise, Dr. Marge Field, a licensed veterinarian, addressed the commission and recommended including ducks in the ordinance, allowing on-site slaughter within defined parameters, keeping permits affordable (she suggested nominal fees) and setting coop heights that permit reasonable cleaning (she recommended 6 feet rather than 5). She also urged clear rules on containment, food storage and inspection frequency.

Commissioners agreed the ordinance needs work and directed staff to take the draft into a subcommittee review that will include subject-matter input before returning a refined draft to the full commission. The commission did not vote on an ordinance at the meeting; the discussion produced consensus to pursue work on a locally tailored regulatory approach and to seek community input where useful.