HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – At the Hopkinsville City Council meeting on Tuesday, two citizens shared their objections to allowing chickens in the city, and council members discussed a possible new bridge for a Greenway expansion.

Lifting the chicken ban

There have been recent discussions about lifting a 46-year-old ordinance that prohibits fowl in residential areas such as backyard chicken coops.

During public comments, Allegra Pace and Debi Powell shared their stance against removing the ban. Pace said one of her neighbors had an illegal chicken coop that made her residence unappealing, and lifting the ordinance would only serve a handful of people.

“Who is going to police the chicken coops?” Pace asked council members. “Our animal control is already understaffed. Would a prospective resident or taxpayer want to see a chicken coop?”

Powell said backyard chickens would be a danger to public health as they carry harmful bacteria that could lead to disease. “Children are especially at risk for illness. Chicken coops are nasty, they smell horrible, and they bring unwanted predators,” Powell said.

Tom Britton, executive director of Community and Development Services, shared the council would need to amend city zoning to allow chickens in the city. Britton said the topic would go to the Hopkinsville Planning Commission, which would then host a public hearing. At a future Committee of the Whole meeting, the council will discuss making a resolution on backyard chickens.

RELATED: Public interest in chicken ownership leads to discussion of Hopkinsville’s 46-year-old ordinance

Greenway bridge

The council also discussed and approved applying for a match grant through the Kentucky Transportation Alternatives Program to partly fund an expansion of the Hopkinsville Greenway System.

Mayor J.R. Knight explained the expansion would include a bridge over Eagle Way Bypass and connect to Tie Breaker Park and Bluegrass Splash. Knight says the original plan was to build a crosswalk across the bypass, but many did not believe it would be safe.

“There is no way I can firmly say that someone would not get hurt if we went ahead with a crosswalk,” Knight said.

The council approved applying for the grant, as the total projected cost is $6.5 million. If Hopkinsville received the grant, the city would only have to pay a little over $1.3 million. Melissa Clayton, Chief Financial Officer for the city, said the cost could be paid over three years. Many council members agreed the bridge is the way to go.

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