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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCD-27-97 THE CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON REPORT Meeting: COUNCIL File # Date: SEPTEMBER 29, 1997 Res. # By-law # Report #: CD-27-97 Subject: KEEPING OF PIGEONS IN THE URBAN AREAS OF THE MUNICIP ALITY Recommendations: It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee recommend to Council the following: 1. THAT Report CD-27-97 be received; 2. THAT the racing pigeon clubs in the municipality be requested to work closely with their members in order to alleviate any concerns which arise from their neighbours; and 3. THAT Jeff Hurst, Peter Portlock, Jim Wilson, Rick Townend, Kevin Williamson, Mark Ainsbury , the Bowmanville Invitational Racing Pigeon Club, the Pine Ridge Racing Pigeon Club and the Oshawa General Racing Pigeon Club be advised of Council' s decision. BACKGROUND AND COMMENT: At the Council meeting of May 26, 1997, the Clerk was directed to prepare a report addressing the keeping of pigeons in the urban areas of the Municipality .This direction was prompted by a concern which has been raised over a pigeon keeper moving into a subdivision in the Courtice area. In 1991, Report PD-83-91 which recommended the passage of a by-law to regulate the keeping of animals was presented to Council. The by-law recommended by staff allowed for the keeping of pigeons only on farms as defined in the zoning by-law. Upon Council's consideration of the report, an amendment was made to the by-law and now the keeping of pigeons is allowed anywhere within the municipality . Report CD-27-97 -2 - September 29, 1997 During the process of addressing the complaint, by-laws from other municipalities were studied. The findings are as follows: Ajax Allows any number of pigeons in either urban or rural areas for racing and/ or show purposes with restrictions placed on the manner in which they are kept (ie, maintenance of loft, coop or pen) Pickering Allows up to 70 pigeons to be kept for racing and/ or show in any area of the municipality Oshawa Allows any number of pigeons anywhere in the municipality Scarborough Restricts the number to four pigeons, unless the owner is a member of a pigeon club, then there is no restriction. Pigeons cannot be kept less than 15 metres from houses other than the owners and are permitted to fly no more than two flights daily and only between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Peterborough Allows up to 80 pigeons on any land other than those zoned industrial or commercial and details the manner in which the lofts must be maintained Port Hope Allows 50 pigeons anywhere in the municipality if owned by a member of a bona fide racing club and details maintenance of lofts There are presently three racing pigeon clubs in the vicinity of Clarington, these being the Oshawa General Racing Pigeon Club, the Bowmanville Invitational Racing Pigeon Club and the Pine Ridge Racing Pigeon Club. Among these three clubs, 27 members are residents of Clarington. These members reside in all areas of the municipality , with many being in the urban areas. The complaints received recently from neighbours of a pigeon owner are the first such complaints the municipality has received and they are based on the pigeons landing on neighbours' properties and the presence of bird droppings in the area. Several years ago, a member of one of the pigeon clubs moved into a new subdivision in Courtice which prompted several calls to the By-law Enforcement Division to question the legality of keeping of pigeons in the area and what the neighbours should do if this became a problem. These people were advised that the pigeons could be kept in the area and to call again if a problem arose. No further calls were ever received. Report CD-27-97 -3 - September 29, 1997 The individual who has recently brought pigeons into Courtice has, in fact, owned birds for at least 15 years and prior to moving to his new home, resided in the urban area of Bowmanville. When discussing the concerns with both the Bowmanville Invitational Racing Pigeon Club and the Oshawa General Racing Pigeon Club (of which the individual concerned is a member), staff was advised that the problem is a temporary one which will only occur while the pigeons are being "broken" (getting use to their new home). In researching the matter of keeping these birds in urban areas, a resident of Bowmanville who lives next door to a member of a pigeon club was contacted. Staff was advised that the pigeons have never been a problem at all. This individual resided in the area prior to the owner of the pigeons. The pigeon clubs have shown a great deal of concern over this matter. They have indicated that they have by-laws to govern the actions of their members and are anxious to work toward a resolve of the problems which have been encountered lately. The fact that complaints have not been received in the past, although there are many members of the pigeon clubs residing in Clarington, indicates that this problem is an isolated one. With the assurance of the pigeon clubs that they will work closely with the owner of these birds, staff is confident the problem will resolve itself quickly. Accordingly, at this time, it is recommended that the by-law regulating the keeping of animals not be amended to restrict the keeping of pigeons. Should the concerns continue, a further report will be presented to Council. Respectfully submitted Reviewed by Patti L. Barrie, A.M.C.T. W. H. Stockwell Clerk Chief Administrative Officer PLB .~ y ...... ~ . ,........ .~ Report CD-27-97 - 4- Interested parties to be advised of Council's decision: Jeff Hurst 83 Oke Road Courtice, Ontario LIE 2V2 Peter Portlock 81 Oke Road Courtice, Ontario LIE 2V2 Mark Ainsbury 67 Oke Road Courtice, Ontario LIE 2V2 Bowmanville Invitational Racing Pigeon Club clo Ted Brown 30 Clarke Street Newcastle, Ontario LIB ICI Pine Ridge Racing Pigeon Club clo Len Santos 2364 Hancock Road Courtice, Ontario LIE 2M3 Oshawa General Racing Pigeon Club clo Joe Martire 2185 Hancock Road Courtice, Ontario LIE 2M3 Jim Wilson 242 Glenabbey Drive Courtice, Ontario LIE 2V2 Rick Townend 82 Oke Road Courtice, Ontario LIE 2V2 Kevin Williamson 77 Oke Road Courtice, Ontario LIE 2V2 September 29, 1997