A public meeting held yesterday in Guelph/Eramosa Township regarding backyard chickens on smaller and agricultural lots, spun into a debate on the power of municipalities over private property.
The township is one of four municipalities in Wellington County that currently does not permit backyard chickens and the draft bylaw would permit chickens, ducks, geese, and turkeys on rural residential properties that are a minimum of one acre, along with smaller agriculture properties up to two acres.
Several residents spoke at the meeting that became heated, with back and forth exchanges between Mayor Chris White and one of the delegates, over the power municipalities have when it comes to private lots.
