ESCANABA — Escanaba could soon allow residents to raise poultry within its borders, but hopeful urban homesteaders shouldn’t count their chickens before they’re hatched. The city is looking to garner as much public input as possible before it decides on the issue.

“The planning commission has historically had trouble getting public feedback on any project or initiative which is not extremely controversial. With that, it is this department’s hope that our citizenry — our friends and neighbors — will engage the planning commission on this initiative,” wrote Escanaba Planning and Zoning Administrator Tyler Anthony in a press release announcing a public hearing on the issue.

It’s possible that chickens in the city could be extremely controversial. The city of Gladstone, which does not permit poultry in its borders, toyed with the idea in 2014. After four months of an online survey that drew hundreds of responses, dozens of phone calls, a citizens’ petition, and a string of heated meetings, the Gladstone City Commission voted against fowl in a 3-2 split vote in October of 2014.

But that was nearly 10 years ago, and it is unclear if Escanaba residents have ever been as split on the issue as their northern neighbor.

The public hearing — set for the Oct. 12 planning commission meeting at 6 p.m. at city hall — will allow residents to weigh in on “a proposed amendment to the Zoning Ordinance, which would allow for the keeping of chickens and ducks in the city by license.” Beyond the need for a license, however, it’s unclear what the amendment would include.

“Until October 5, detailed information will not be available; we need time to complete the agenda packet, and it’s always posted one week ahead of the meeting in its entirety,” Anthony wrote.

Residents will be able to find the agenda packet for the meeting by visiting www.escanaba.org and clicking on the “Agendas & Minutes” button or by visiting city hall during regular business hours.

Those interested in weighing in on the proposal to allow chickens and ducks in the city are asked to attend the meeting or send comments in writing prior to 4 p.m. on Oct. 12. Signed written comments can be sent to: Escanaba Planning Commission, PO Box 948, Escanaba, MI 49829.

Specifically, the planning commission is seeking input on what residents like or dislike about the idea of permitting chickens and ducks in the city with a license and if there is anything residents feel could be done differently that would make the proposal better for the city and its residents.

Due to the nature of the public hearing process, phone calls to the city about the proposal cannot be included in the record.