Neighbor suing over chickens and garden says she’s trying to maintain the integrity of the neighborh

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.omaha.com/news/metro/neighbor-suing-over-chickens-and-garden-says-she-s-trying/article_50d0a62b-4b9b-5101-9a17-14305c44998a.html




BRENDAN SULLIVAN/THE WORLD-HERALD

Stacy Williams shows off a leghorn chicken in the backyard of her Trendwood home. Williams said she has received “overwhelming support,” including donations of $1,235, as she strives to keep her chickens.

POSTED: WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2015 12:01 AM | UPDATED: 12:11 AM, WED AUG 5, 2015.
By Todd Cooper / World-Herald staff writer

Read the original story: Backyard chicken coop has annoyed neighbors clucking: http://www.omaha.com/news/metro/backyard-chicken-coop-has-annoyed-neighbors-clucking/article_acfa15e7-b185-5155-9450-2b92f40af484.html

Original DU post and replies here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/10027038883
***
The woman who sued her neighbor over her backyard chickens and garden says she doesn’t hate chickens, doesn’t hate gardens and doesn’t hate her neighbors.

Lynn Perry says she just loves her home and her neighborhood — and wants to protect its integrity.

That’s why she and her husband, Brad Perry, have filed a lawsuit against Stacy Williams over her backyard mini-farm, Lynn Perry said.

“I love our house — I love our neighborhood,” said Lynn Perry, who has lived in Trendwood for 32 years. “I want the integrity of Trendwood’s neighborhood to be maintained.

FULL story at link.

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

1. 'integrity'?

Whatevs.

[Daemonaquila]

3. No kidding.

If you think chickens are a problem, you don't like chickens. Pretty simple.

[Cracklin Charlie]

2. Lynn better watch out!

Foghorn Leghorn's got some badass talons!

[snooper2]

4. those talons are no match for my smoker :)

[GreatGazoo]

5. So she has lived there 32 years, isn't selling but wants compensation for an unproved decline in

"property value" ?

Until you put your house on the market a decline (if there really was one but likely there isn't) in property value SAVES you money on your property taxes. And for me, I'd prefer a neighbor with chickens (and no roosters) over one who mows their useless and beloved lawn at 7AM on Saturdays.

[Fred Sanders]

6. I would like to reserve judgment until after trial? How many Chickens and their manure in suburban backyards?

[HockeyMom]

7. My former neighbors had chickens

I really didn't care until he decided to not cage them and let them roam all over. They were in my backyard. They were in my driveway when I tried to drive out. I most definitely did not want to run over any chickens. We were constantly chasing his chickens.

My husband went over and talked to him. If the man really cared about his chickens, he would not want them to run loose and get run over in the streets by a car. Sue him? No, speak reasonably.

He built a fence around his property. Perfectly reasonable solution to the problem.

[jonno99]

8. +1

[jwirr]

10. Exactly, urban farming needs regulation just like other enterprises. Our small community allows

5 chickens (no roasters) and they have to be fenced yards. They came by the number by deciding how many eggs a day an average family would use. As to gardens - communities have had gardens since the beginning of the country If composting becomes a problem regulate the type of composting that can be allowed.

This couple who have lived there for 32 years are not interested in what is really happening in our world and why.

[FreakinDJ]

9. Not ok on a 1/4 acre lot

Too many desease come from chicken poop

[cwydro]

13. I've kept chickens for years.

I don't even get colds, so I've no idea what you could be talking about.

[magical thyme]

14. bs

5 chickens is not too many for 1/4 acre and chicken poop doesn't carry diseases. in fact, it makes the best compost, with goats coming in 2nd.

[Retrograde]

15. People here keep chickens on small city lots with 50' frontages

considerably less than a quarter acre. I occasionally here some clucking at some places, but for the most part they're quiet.

And chicken shit composts well. Gardeners pay a premium for the packaged variety.

[Mariana]

17. Which diseases are those?

I'm genuinely curious, since I know nothing about chickens and any particular diseases they may spread.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

19. Busybodyitis for one.

[MissB]

11. I live in an unincorporated area.

I suspect our neighborhood will never be incorporated. Because we live in an unincorporated part of the county, I could have goats, chickens, horses, cows, etc.

A presidential candidate will be stopping in the neighborhood this week, having a dinner at a supporter's house. The cost of the dinner is nearly $3k/person. (Note: I won't be going. I help represent the economic diversity in the neighborhood.)

Everyone here has hedges or iron fences. It's all very private and most lots are half an acre with some being larger parts of older estates.

I keep chickens and have a large garden. My neighbors don't complain. We keep things clean in the coop area, and it's out of sight nowhere near anyone's house or property line. If you were to walk by on the street you'd have to strain to see it, though you might hear the chickens clucking.

My entire half acre has a small postage stamp of grass; the rest is forest, perennial gardens and edible plantings. My front yard has no grass (but there is a hedge).

I'm sure some folks would see my yard as unsightly as I don't have a bunch of grass and standard suburban plantings. Different strokes for different folks.

I don't see where the neighbor in this case has a leg to stand on, but I don't know the laws in this case. I'll certainly never understand the need for a perfectly manicured yard that raises nothing other than debris for the yard bin. I much prefer that my yard produce items for my family to enjoy, including eggs. I don't see a garden and chickens as reasons for a decline in property values. Abandoned cars? Sure! Plants? No way.

[Android3.14]

12. Oh come on.

If the coop is kempt and the chickens disease free, then leave the lady alone.

[NutmegYankee]

16. I find the argument that city law doesn't override neighborhood covenants to be bullshit.

Neighborhood covenants routinely prohibited selling your home to Blacks. Lets see that asshat Perry enforce that!

[Hassin Bin Sober]

20. I could swear I saw one on my deed about drinking alcohol on Sundays.

Now I'm fucked.

[Mariana]

18. I think Ms. Williams should decorate the part of her yard

that is visible to Ms. Perry with large plastic pink flamingoes and other similarly tasteful items.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

21. If they make her get rid of the chickens, I hope she gets two or three Beagles.