(UPDATE – Wednesday, July 17, 2024): Due to scheduling issues at the staff level, the City of Indianola unfortunately needs to reschedule the public hearing regarding the keeping of urban chickens from July 29 to August 19.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. This issue is important to our staff and council, as well as to the community.
Please check back often for updates and meeting materials as the public hearing on August 19 draws closer.
Submit A Public Comment
Did you know that public comments can be submitted prior to the meeting from our website? This is a great tool to use if you are unable to attend the meeting or if your comment will exceed the three-minute time limit. Comments submitted prior to 4 p.m. on the day of the meeting will be sent to the Council before the meeting. Comments submitted after 4 p.m. on the day of the meeting will be sent to Council as soon as possible.
For more background information on the topic, please read the previous updates below. Please note that each "Previous Update" communications have been revised to call out the rescheduled date of the public hearing on August 19.
(PREVIOUS UPDATE – Wednesday, July 10, 2024): At the Tuesday, July 9, Planning & Zoning Commission meeting, City of Indianola Community Development Department staff presented updated preliminary survey data, provided a comprehensive report based on feedback offered from other Iowa cities that established and currently have an ordinance and led continued discussion about the proposed ordinance allowing the keeping of chickens within city limits.
Following the discussion between City staff, appointed commission representatives and community members in attendance, the Planning & Zoning Commission made a motion for consideration and adoption of an urban chicken ordinance in the City of Indianola, excluding Section 2, Item 5-G in the drafted ordinance. The motion was approved by a 4-3 vote.
A replay of the discussion and meeting is available on the City of Indianola YouTube channel.
The proposed ordinance can be accessed here. All meeting materials are available through the agenda packet.
Next Steps in Process
With the approval by the Planning & Zoning Commission, it now goes to the Indianola City Council, marking the next phase in the decision-making process.
A public hearing is scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday, July 29, (now 6 p.m. Monday, August 19; please see the newest update above) during the Council’s regular meeting. The meeting will be held in the Council Chambers at City Hall, located at 110 N 1st Street.
The proposed ordinance will continue to be discussed by the Council and voted upon three separate times to approve or deny the ordinance. If approved following the first consideration August 19, the next consideration would be scheduled for the next Council meeting on September 3.
A livestream of the Council meeting on July 29 will be made available on the City of Indianola YouTube channel.
Public Hearings & Public Comments
During a public hearing, community members can provide public comment. For those unable to be at the meeting, or if it may exceed the five-minute time limit, community members can submit their public comment prior to the meeting from the City of Indianola website.
Comments submitted prior to 4 p.m. on the day of the meeting will be sent to the Council before the meeting. Comments submitted after 4 p.m. on the day of the meeting will be sent to Council as soon as possible.
Survey Remains Open Through July 21
The deadline for the community survey was extended to July 21, 2024, as directed following the Planning & Zoning Commission meeting on July 9. To date, the survey – which launched June 3 – has generated more than 1,230 responses.
If you have not completed the survey and would like to assist the City of Indianola with this process, please take a moment to share your feedback by the extended deadline date. Please remember that the survey is just a piece of the decision-making process, helping to provide appointed and elected officials a pulse on the community’s perspectives on the topic.
Updated Preliminary Survey Data
- As of 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 10, 2024, the survey has generated a total of 1,237 responses.
- Of the total survey responses, 1,082 respondents self-reported that they live within the City of Indianola. Approximately 77.36% of those respondents said they have lived in Indianola for six or more years.
- 61.83% of Indianola residents (669 survey respondents) were in favor of implementing an ordinance to allow for urban chickens.
- 44.36% (480 survey respondents) indicated that they were interested in keeping urban chickens on their property.
- 62.66% (678 survey respondents) believe that urban chickens could bring benefits to the community. When asked about perceived benefits, responses generally stated that urban chickens could provide a sustainable source of fresh eggs/chicken, promote sustainable living and reduce food waste.
- All survey respondents were asked about challenges and concerns with urban chickens. Generally, respondents were concerned with noise pollution and noxious sounds that could be produced by roosters.
- Survey respondents were also asked about what regulations they would support for a possible ordinance allowing urban chickens within city limits. Generally, respondents answered favorably towards limiting the number of allowable chickens, prohibiting roosters, requiring minimum coop cleanliness standards and requiring fencing for chickens. Other options part of the survey included prohibiting commercial sale of eggs/chickens, implementing setback/distance requirements from neighboring residential houses and requiring licensing or registration of urban chickens.
(PREVIOUS UPDATE – Wednesday, June 26, 2024): At the Tuesday, June 25, Planning & Zoning Commission meeting, City of Indianola Community Development Department staff presented updated preliminary survey data, provided a comprehensive report and led discussion about the possible ordinance allowing the keeping of chickens within city limits.
Following the discussion between City staff, appointed commission representatives and community members in attendance, the Planning & Zoning Commission made a motion directing staff to review what’s currently drafted for the possible ordinance, make revisions to it based on the questions, comments and concerns addressed during the meeting, and bring it back to the next commission meeting on July 9. The motion was approved.
A replay of the discussion and meeting is available on the City of Indianola YouTube channel.
Survey Deadline Extended to July 21
The deadline for the community survey has been extended to July 21, 2024. The original deadline was July 1. The goal for the deadline extension is to allow community members more time to participate.
To date, the survey – which launched June 3 – has generated more than 1,050 responses. If you have not completed the survey and would like to assist the City of Indianola with this process, please take a moment to share your feedback and perspectives by the extended deadline date.
Furthermore, additional communication to help raise awareness of the survey and to spark increased engagement will be included in Indianola Municipal Utilities (IMU) customers’ July 2024 billing statements.
Updated Preliminary Survey Data
- As of 1 p.m. Wednesday, June 26, 2024, the survey has generated a total of 1,085 responses.
- Of the total survey responses, 940 respondents self-reported that they live within the City of Indianola. Approximately 76.38% of those respondents said they have lived in Indianola for six or more years.
- 65.53% of Indianola residents (616 survey respondents) were in favor of implementing an ordinance to allow for urban chickens.
- 47.55% (447 survey respondents) indicated that they were interested in keeping urban chickens on their property.
- 66.49% (625 survey respondents) believe that urban chickens could bring benefits to the community. When asked about perceived benefits, responses generally stated that urban chickens could provide a sustainable source of fresh eggs/chicken, promote sustainable living and reduce food waste.
- All survey respondents were asked about challenges and concerns with urban chickens. Generally, respondents were concerned with noise pollution and noxious sounds that could be produced by roosters.
- Survey respondents were also asked about what regulations they would support for a possible ordinance allowing urban chickens within city limits. Generally, respondents answered favorably towards limiting the number of allowable chickens, prohibiting roosters, requiring minimum coop cleanliness standards and requiring fencing for chickens. Other options part of the survey included prohibiting commercial sale of eggs/chickens, implementing setback/distance requirements from neighboring residential houses and requiring licensing or registration of urban chickens.
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(PREVIOUS UPDATE – Thursday, June 20, 2024): After two weeks seeking input from the community regarding the keeping of chickens within city limits, the City of Indianola has compiled an update that includes preliminary data from the survey thus far and next steps for the possible ordinance.
Preliminary Survey Data Highlights
- As of 3 p.m. Monday, June 17, 2024, the survey has generated 952 responses.
- Of the total survey responses, 813 respondents self-reported that they live within the City of Indianola. Approximately 74% of those respondents said they have lived in Indianola for six or more years.
- 71.71% of Indianola residents (585 survey respondents) were in favor of implementing an ordinance to allow for urban chickens.
- 52.77% (429 survey respondents) indicated that they were interested in keeping urban chickens on their property.
- 72.94% (593 survey respondents) believe that urban chickens could bring benefits to the community. When asked about perceived benefits, responses generally stated that urban chickens could provide a sustainable source of fresh eggs/chicken, promote sustainable living and reduce food waste.
- All survey respondents were asked about challenges and concerns with urban chickens. Generally, respondents were concerned with noise pollution and noxious sounds that could be produced by roosters, with approximately 46% indicating some level of concern in this area.
- Survey respondents were also asked about what regulations they would support for a possible ordinance allowing urban chickens within city limits. Generally, respondents answered favorably towards limiting the number of allowable chickens, prohibiting roosters, requiring minimum coop cleanliness standards and requiring fencing for chickens. Other options part of the survey included prohibiting commercial sale of eggs/chickens, implementing setback/distance requirements from neighboring residential houses and requiring licensing or registration of urban chickens.
Next Steps in Process
Community Development Department staff will present data, provide a report and lead discussion at the next Planning & Zoning Commission meeting, which is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 25. Review agenda and agenda packet.
The meeting is open to the public and will be held in the Council Chambers at City Hall, located at 110 N 1st Street. For those unable to attend the meeting, a livestream will be made available on the City of Indianola’s YouTube channel.
The survey, which launched June 3, will remain open for feedback through July 1.
(ORIGINAL POST – Wednesday, June 3, 2024): The City of Indianola is seeking input from the community regarding the keeping of chickens within city limits. This survey is designed to gather general feedback and interest as it pertains to residential animal raising – specifically chickens.
For questions, please contact the Community Development Department by emailing comdev@indianolaiowa.gov or calling 515-961-9430.
To assist the City of Indianola through next steps, please take a moment to share your feedback and perspectives by July 1 and visit the below survey link: