LOXLEY, Alabama — The Loxley Town Council passed an ordinance at its meeting Monday, April 11 placing limits on the number of chickens allowed in single-family residential areas.

According to Shawn Alves with Stone, Grenade and Crosby, the town’s legal representative, the ordinance places limits on chickens in zones R-1A, R-1B, residential single family areas, and R-2, residential single family and duplex.

The ordinance would allow up to four chickens, not including roosters, with pens located no closer than 40 feet from any residential dwelling, in all three zones. In Zone R-1A, up to 10 chickens would be allowed on lots greater than one acre.

Agriculture, poultry (other than as provided as a permitted use) and livestock raising, but not including the operation of a chicken brooder houses, would also be allowed on appeal, provided no structure, pen or corral housing animals be located closer than 200 feet to any property line.

At a public hearing held March 14, the proposed ordinance was presented at a public hearing before the council, allowing only four chickens in all three zones, with additional chickens allowed on appeal.

One resident spoke out on the proposal at the hearing, saying that he recently purchased more than 3 acres in Loxley and wanted the council to consider raising the restricted number of chickens allowed.

When asked during Monday’s meeting, the residents indicated that they were OK with the proposed changes and the ordinance passed unanimously with all council members present.

In other business Monday, the council approved a resolution awarding a contract for engineering services for Goodwin, Mills and Cawood at a cost of $41,245 and voted to establish an account for the $385,000 sewer and drainage rehabilitation project.

In November, the town received a letter stating that the town had received conditional approval for a $350,000 Community Development Block Grant through the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs.

In June, the town council voted unanimously to authorize submission of the grant, which would pay 90 percent of the total cost for the $385,000 project.

According to the grant application, filed by the South Alabama Regional Planning Commission on behalf of the town, “Loxley has identified community development needs and determined that there is a critical need to provide sewer and drainage rehabilitation in an older area of the town where high concentrations of low to moderate income persons reside.”

Several residents were on hand to address concerns during a public hearing held May 11 delaying the start of the council’s regular meeting by nearly 30 minutes.

An estimated $171,250 will be spent on sewer rehabilitation, while an estimated $130,000 has been slated for drainage improvements.

The grant area includes a western portion of town from St. Albin Street south to West Relham Drive including North Cedar Street, North Walnut Street, North Oak Street, County Road 49 and a small portion of North Pine Street.

In other business Monday, the council:

• Approved payment on an invoice for turnout gear for the Loxley Fire Department from NAFECO of Decatur in the amount of $4,393.
• Approved a 3-year contract with Blackmon Insurance Agency to provide coverage for the town at a cost of $113,896 per year.
• Introduced a proclamation declaring April as Child Abuse Prevention Month.