Crop of common sense needed

Jan 24, 2008

Cletus Kunkel had it right when he said a public meeting on a proposed zoning bylaw amendment held in Powassan last week was “nothing but hogwash.”

The Municipality of Powassan is attempting to define what exactly a hobby farm is. It’s a quest stemming from the story of young Paige Taylor and her chickens, a stoy oft discussed in this paper’s letters to the editor section.

The municipality’s solution to this neighbour dispute is a proposal that a hobby farm designation apply to farms between five and 25 acres. A hobby farm would be allowed to have a barn or shelter, but would have limits on animal counts allowed on the property. Livestock could only be used for recreational purposes or be consumed by residents living on the property.

And no domestic livestock would be able to be housed on a property less than five acres.

As the 30 people present at the public meeting, held Jan. 17, pointed out, the proposed bylaw is not favourable to them, or Powassan.

Having a pen of rabbits, a coop of chickens, a pet potbellied pig, or whatever livestock creature tickles your fancy is part of northern life.

Indeed, the ability to have a little hobby farm is what draws some folks to settle down in the Almaguin Highlands.

It’s part of country culture and charm.

Taking that away, or muddying the situation with extra rules, just encourages folks to head on up or down the highway to find new abodes where no one gives a hoot if there’s a chicken scratching in pen in your yard.

Aside from being detached from the realities of rural life, the proposed bylaw is causing a big kerfuffle over a situation that really has a simple solution: follow provincial regulations.

Provincial regulations — minimum distance standards and nutrient management — already set out what farming related practices are acceptable.

While these regulations only come into force when someone seeks a building permit, say for their barn or coop, there is no reason the municipality can’t use the rules as a guideline when a situation, like that with Paige and her chickens, comes up.

It would save time and effort on a proposed zoning bylaw amendment the recent public meeting shows few residents want.

As it was pointed out in the meeting, a few critters running underfoot on out-of-town properties normally won’t cause controversy between neighbours.

And if it does, they should work it out themselves, not through the township.

That’s just common sense. But it seems that’s what the whole situation is lacking.

Let’s hope Powassan soon takes a dose of it.

K.G.