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Ishpeming council to consider changes to city rules

The Ishpeming City Council will consider first readings of amendments to three existing ordinances along with a new ordinance regulating the containment of fowl within city limits during its regular meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Ishpeming City Hall. (Stock image)

ISHPEMING — The Ishpeming City Council will consider first readings of amendments to three existing ordinances along with a new ordinance regulating the containment of fowl within city limits during its regular meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Ishpeming City Hall.

The proposed new ordinance would prohibit keeping roosters within city limits and allow residents of single-family dwellings to keep up to six hens in a secure enclosure constructed at least 2 feet above the surface of the ground and situated at least 20 feet away from the nearest neighbor’s residence.

Residents would be required to keep fowl enclosures “in a neat and sanitary condition at all times,” ordinance language states.

Multi-family complexes, including duplexes would not be allowed to keep any fowl under the proposed ordinance, which also prohibits the outside slaughtering of birds.

If the ordinance is passed, residents who are currently keeping fowl within the city limits would be required to comply within three months.

“Fowl currently existing in the city shall not be ‘grandfathered’ or permitted to remain after the effective date of this Ordinance, however, owners of poultry will have ninety days from the effective date to comply with this ordinance,” the proposed language states.

The council will also consider first readings on amendments to three existing city ordinances governing solid waste disposal, registration of dealers and precious items and regulation of the Ishpeming Cemetery.

The residential solid waste ordinance language, if approved, would redefine the term “residential solid waste” to include every single family home, residential duplex, residential condominium and apartment house with not more than two apartments.”

The current ordinance language includes the same structures with up to four apartments.

Changes to the ordinance dealing with the regulation, denial and revocation of licenses for secondhand dealers and junk dealers, if approved by the council, would remove certain registration requirements for new and existing second-hand dealers.

The cemetery ordinance, if approved, would refer residents to the city’s annual fee schedule for cemetery burial rates and other costs. It would also bar the planting of any new bushes, shrubs or ornamental trees in the cemetery, as well as set updated restrictions for new monuments and above-ground markers.

If approved, the first readings of the new ordinance and ordinance amendments are each subject to a second reading at a subsequent council meeting prior to being enacted.

Lisa Bowers can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 242.

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