Halifax staff looking at whether backyards can house suites and hens

Halifax Regional councillorshave kicked off a planning process that willconsiderallowing single-family homes to have "backyard" orsecondary suites and permitting some laying hens in residential areas.

Coun. Waye Mason acknowledged there are concerns fromsome people who worry about the impact of secondary suites, also known as laneway homes, in neighbourhoods.

Buthe addedthe changes could help with a lack of affordable housing.

"I know it's not going to be an easy conversation, and I know noteveryone is going to agree with it," said Mason."But I think it's a good conversation to have."

Coun. Lisa Blackburn, who represents Middle and Upper Sackville, also supports at least considering the changes because she thinks it will allow seniors to remain the communities that they have lived in for decades.

"This means our seniors could age in place," she said.

Coun. Russell Walker, who represents Bedford Basin West,was only one who voted against the motion, calling it a "slippery slope."

"Ninety per centof the ones in my districtdo not have a permit to be there, how do we know they are up to code?" he said.

Halifax councillors also asked staff to look into the idea of allowinga certain number of egg-laying hens in all residential areas. The rules wouldn't permit roosters.

The municipal rules around chickens have remained murky despite the city softening its approach to a contentious bylaw that barred urban chickens from the Halifax peninsula in 2013.

Chickens getting approval across Canada

Coun.Shawn Cleary pointed out that a number of cities acrossCanada are either testing the idea or have approved rules to allowchickens including Vancouver, Edmonton, Toronto and parts ofMontreal.

"I think it's better to have a uniform look at this," said Cleary."Goodregulations can ensure minimum rodent impact."

He also insisted chickens are quieter than dogs.

Coun. Steve Streatch saidhe's worked with chickens in anagricultural setting.

"I can't imagine why anyone would want to do this," he said."They're dirty creatures and they make a mess."

But Streatch said he didn't want to stand in the way of anyone whowants fresh eggs, so he voted in favour of getting a report on the issue.