Ga. town debating rules for in-town chickens

ATLANTA — A north Georgia town is struggling to decide how to regulate chickens inside the city limits.

The Rome-Floyd County Planning Commission and city officials last year rejected a proposal to allow residents to have up to four chickens, provided they were kept in some kind of enclosure.

But citizens have pushed authorities to reconsider.

The Rome News-Tribune reports that a draft ordinance is circulating in advance of a Dec. 6 Planning Commission meeting. It would allow chickens in four residential zones. Residents would have to get permits.

But City Commissioner Bill Irmscher doesn't want the birds in suburban residential zones. Commissioner Kim Canada is irked that the city clerk, rather than the City Commission, would control permits.

Assistant City Manager Sammy Rich said the draft is meant to start discussion.

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Information from: Rome News-Tribune, http://www.romenews-tribune.com