Why Did the Chicken Cross the Road? To get to I.B.!

Last week, the Imperial Beach City Council voted to overturn a citywide ordinance that banned chickens as pets. Coronado is now the only city in San Diego County that is not considered a haven for hens.

The council's decision makes it legal for residents of Imperial Beach to keep up to five chickens as pets, providing conditions are sanitary and the fowls do not pose a risk to human health.

Mayor Jim Janney and council member Fred Mclean were opposed to giving chickens a home to roost, while council members Lorie Bragg, Mayda Winter, and Patricia McCoy were in favor of repealing the ban.

The issue was raised at an April city council meeting when two Imperial Beach residents responded to a citation issued by the code enforcement regarding their four pet chickens. The two were unaware of the ban and argued to overturn the previous ruling.

Many in the Imperial Beach community, however, aren't in favor of the council's decision. Local watchdog website, saveib.com commented on the decision. "Now Imperial Beach will have more of that Third World feel! Local predators are overjoyed!"

A permanent ordinance, changing the rules on zoning, is expected in the next few months. The website for the city council can be found at ci.imperial-beach.ca.us.