Could your neighbor soon be able to raise chickens in his own backyard? If a proposal comes to fruition, it could become a reality. This was one of the items discussed at the Shandon Neighborhood Association meeting held at Emily Douglas Park January 4. According to Dr. Belinda Gergel, a proposal was presented to Columbi City Council to allow residents of Columbia to be able to raise hens.

Potential guidelines for this idea:

1 Only hens would be allowed.

2) A resident could raise up to 4 hens.

3) The person would need a permit to raise the hens.

4) An annual inspection would be required.

5) All hens would have to be kept in a coop and would not be allowed to roam in the resident’s backyard.

Gergel said, “When it comes to this matter, I have two points. First it can’t compromise the integrity of our neighborhoods, and we must have the resources in place to enforce the guidelines. Presently, it would be hard for us to have enough resources to enforce the guidelines.”

The search for a new city manager has been suspended, instead a one year contract has been offered to current interim city manager Steve Gantt.

A motion to conduct a traffic survey at the Wilmot and Woodrow intersection of Hand Middle school was passed by the Shandon Community Council. The proposal would ask that the intersection be closed off to traffic between 8:00 and 8:30 to improve child safety.