Despite a survey that showed the majority of respondents supported an ordinance change that would allow residents to raise backyard chickens, city council members don’t think it would be a good idea.

The board voted 3-2 earlier this month not to change the rules, according to council meeting minutes.

Council members Elizabeth Upton and Fares Azzam voted in favor of amending the ordinance, however, Mayor Ralph Echtinaw, Mayor Pro Tem Bill Leonard and Councilman Kevin Palmer voted against the move.

The online survey had shown that 124 of the 174 participants supported allowing residents to raise chickens with 111 of those saying they would consider raising chickens themselves.

The matter was first brought up during a council meeting in March due to the high cost of eggs.

Currently raising livestock of any kind is not permitted within the city limits.

Upton has been a proponent of the change since the beginning, saying she would raise chickens herself if allowed.

Palmer has been against the move since the idea was introduced.

Echtinaw believed amending the ordinance would increase the workload of the city’s Code Enforcement Officer Dori Foster.

During the past few meetings residents on both sides of the issue made their opinions known to council members.

A number of other cities and municipalities in Michigan permit the raising of backyard chickens, with most limiting the number of hens, prohibiting roosters, and enacting enclosure requirements.

Although Leonad admitted he had “struggled” with the issue, in the end he decided he could not support the change.

However, several current state representatives have introduced a bill in the State House that would permit the raising of five hens for each quarter-of-an-acre a resident owns, up to a maximum total of 25. No special use permit would be required.

The proposed amendment remains in committee and has yet to be introduced to the full House or Senate for a vote.