http://www.idkfa.com/v3 idkfa: syndicated http://www.idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3763&msg_id=3771 They recently passed a measure decreasing the required area needed to keep chickens, and also increased the number of allowed chickens as well. So urban agriculture has been on the agenda within the past year. I think contacting some city council members might be the way to go, probably even start with the ones, if they are still on the council, who supported the changes in the rules regarding chickens and rabbits. Thanks for the info MrFood@idkfa.com (MrFood) Machiavellian Cocktail Wed, 09 Nov 2011 11:38:07 -0900 http://idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3763&msg_id=3771 http://www.idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3763&msg_id=3768 +1 for insightful comment. kaiden@idkfa.com (kaiden) Machiavellian Cocktail Wed, 09 Nov 2011 02:29:18 -0900 http://idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3763&msg_id=3768 http://www.idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3763&msg_id=3767 I'd do some research before trying to put together a petition or a measure. Your city code (laws) should be publicly available; if you don't find it online you'll definitely find it at the city's public library. If you don't have a public library, the city hall should have it somewhere. i'd look at the last several City Council agendas to see if there are any projects they're working through. Just to get a feel for recent talking points. Also, figure out who your councilmember(s) is(are) and if they have any staff. Shoot them an email with what you're thinking, follow up the next day with their listed phone number and schedule a face-to-face, and then after the meeting follow up with a call at least once a week to reinforce the issue. If you want to petition, that's much harder since you have to make sure you're hitting voter signatures from the constituency areas of your city council. Are there any good areas where you can expect to get that many signatures? your city code will outline how citizen measures can be petitioned and passed, but it'd be easiest to ask an employee at city hall for some guidelines. The easiest way to create the necessary legal language is to borrow from the areas that already allow farm animals, which you mention are Seattle and Tacoma. It's likely that the code chapter and paragraph numbers will be similar between Seattle, Tacoma, and the area you guys live in. kitacek@idkfa.com (kitacek) Machiavellian Cocktail Tue, 08 Nov 2011 21:13:01 -0900 http://idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3763&msg_id=3767 http://www.idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3763&msg_id=3766 I propose to the city council that a resolution be written demanding one Katy Laurance to allow her husband John Laurance to purchase and keep two goats of the dwarf or pygmy domesticate variety. MrFood@idkfa.com (MrFood) Machiavellian Cocktail Tue, 08 Nov 2011 15:01:11 -0900 http://idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3763&msg_id=3766 http://www.idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3763&msg_id=3765 Sounds like you need two petitions, not just one. kaiden@idkfa.com (kaiden) Machiavellian Cocktail Tue, 08 Nov 2011 13:01:25 -0900 http://idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3763&msg_id=3765 http://www.idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3763&msg_id=3763 I'm guessing that Dave probably knows more about the process than anyone else here. I want to petition the city council to allow small domesticated goats on lots smaller than 3.5 acres. This would bring the urban agriculture laws more in line with Seattle and Tacoma. This might all be futile because Katy says she doesn't want farm animals, but my contention is I'd rather have a pair of goats (Mr and Mrs. Bleats) than a dog. And small goats are probably less annoying and less destructive than the two pure bred german shepherds we moved next door to. MrFood@idkfa.com (MrFood) Machiavellian Cocktail Tue, 08 Nov 2011 12:27:57 -0900 http://idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3763&msg_id=3763