Backyard Hens Discussion Continues in Lakewood

is expected to vote on an issue tonight that would take away the mayor’s ability to grant an exemption to allow a few prohibited animals in the city.

Specifically, hens. 

Council first introduced the measure in November after the grassroots effort by the group Hens in Lakewood sought to allow three families in the city to keep four hens in their backyards as part of a proposed yearlong pilot program. 

Mayor Michael Summers verbally committed to the group to allow the pilot program to move forward. 

That’s when city council introduced an ordinance that would take away the mayor’s ability to grant exemptions on the issue.

Summers recently sent out letters to council members recommending the exemption and laying out a few key ideas, including the conditions, criteria, overall health and wellness of the hens and evaluation of the pilot.

He said he's ready to discuss the issue further with city council.

"My guess is that there are some members of council who have no interest in this subject at all — who see this only as a loophole that needs to be closed,” Summers said. "If they don’t entertain the substance of this issue, then I don’t know where this will go.”

Hens in Lakewood members have spent the past several months working with the city's Animal Safety and Welfare Advisory Board, which gave its unanimous support in September. 

Dozens of Lakewood residents attended November’s city council meeting to discuss an ordinance that would to allow a pilot project that would allow hens in the city.

Most of them spoke out against council's attempt stop the pilot project.

At-large councilman Brian Powers, who introduced the legislation, gave a few reasons why he supports the ordinance.

"I have very clear views about the separation of powers between the various branches of government," he said. "It makes no sense to write a law but then say at the end that they mayor can override the law at any time for any reason. What if every law we passed at the end said 'hey, the mayor can exempt anyone from this law at any time for any reason?' It just doesn't make sense."

Ward 2 councilman Tom Bullock said he opposed Powers' proposal, and noted that he supports Summers' decision to grant an exemption for a pilot project.

"(If rejected) it would send a terrible message to the public, and set a terrible precedent — however unintentional — to residents who have put in time, effort, care, research, money, good faith and who have conducted themselves openly and publicly," he said.

Summers said if council rejects his bid to allow the pilot program to move forward, the Hens in Lakewood group would need to lobby council to grant an exemption.

"I believe (the exemption) is a thoughtful way to go about addressing these complex issues," Summers said. "This is an intelligent way to address facts, not fear innuendo or anecdote.”

Also at tonight’s meeting

• Council is expected to select a new president and vice president.
• Members of council who were re-elected to their posts in November are expected to be sworn-in.