Beehives approved in Durham; coops must wait

Architect's book sales to benefit Habitat

DURHAM -- Beekeeping is OK in Durham backyards, but city leaders aren't yet comfortable with the idea of allowing chicken coops inside city limits.

With little discussion and by a 7-0 vote Monday night, the Durham City Council approved beekeeping inside the city limits.

Then council members spent more than half an hour talking about chickens before voting to put off a decision until February.

A group called Durham Hens has been pressing to allow city residents to keep hens in their yards.

During the meeting, council member Howard Clement and Mayor Bill Bell expressed reservations about allowing chickens in the backyards of city residences.

Clement requested that a health department representative attend the next hearing to discuss bird flu. "A number of questions have been directed to me, and I'd like to know are there any bird flu concerns we need to be concerned about?" he said.

Bell said he is worried about the effect of chickens on neighboring property owners. They should be informed of chicken permit requests, he said, and given a chance to object.