Hen Owner Loses Battle, May Win War

 The City Council denied her request for a variance allowing her to keep her coop.

On the larger issue of whether Coronado should change its policy there was wide agreement that the city should consider the matter. 

Councilwoman Barbara Denny suggested that residents be allowed to keep “a few mature, small hobby hens.”

Others on the council wanted to wait for a staff report. “I’m open to looking at it,” Carrie Downey said. "Let's let them do it in an organized way."

She also suggested that the public be brought into the discussion.

“What I have seen so far in the comments I’ve received is that people are willing to discuss this in a reasoned and impassioned way,” Downey said.

Crawford had already planned for the possibility that the council would rule against her and has arranged to move her hens to a new home.

No vote was taken but the consensus was that the city could not sanction violations of its ordinances.

 “We have to uphold the law,” Councilman Al Ovrom said.

The community is divided. Matt Pittner, who lives next door to Crawford, asked that the chickens be removed.

Citing the national Centers for Disease Control, he told the council that “chickens carry disease, including salmonella that can cause illness.” He added that he keeps the window facing the coop closed to protect his family.

Others pointed out that Coronado was already animal friendly and asked why chickens should be any different. “We have dogs and cats in the community. I’ve stepped into evidence of those animals. I've even seen rabbits,” Joseph Huber said.

Crawford remains committed. Asked she would keep hens again if the ordinance changed she didn’t hesitate.

“Yes,” she said “It’s been lots of fun.”