Mya Deal wanted permission to raise chickens within the city limits. The Deer Trail resident asked permission to raise a maximum of six chickens with no crowing fowl. But the Junction City Commission did not approve the request Tuesday night.

No vote was taken but during discussion three of the five commissioners were opposed. Commissioners Jeff Underhill and Nick Allbritton were in favor of the idea but Phyllis Fitzgerald, Tim Brown and Pat Landes were opposed.

When the discussion reached Pat Landes the rest of the governing body had split 2-2 on the issue. Landes noted there is still a financial crisis in the City. “I don’t want to have to add more staff just to monitor yet one more situation in this town. To me it’s financial.” The mayor added if you want to have chickens get out in the county.

Commissioners and city staff were quick to point out that Deal would be a responsible owner but there would be others that would have to be policed.

Commissioner Fitzgerald expressed concerns about potential predators such as snakes becoming a problem,  while  Commissioner Tim Brown noted some concern about smell and unsightliness of chicken coops and pens. City Manager Allen Dinkel said some cities do allow and some do not allow chickens in back yards, but if the governing body were to allow chickens in a city ordinance be specific and make it for chickens only. Otherwise ducks would follow.

The end result is that the city commission took no formal action on the request.