The St. Cloud City Planning Commission has recommended the city council deny an ordinance to allow chickens in the backyards of residential areas.

The planning commission met Tuesday evening to discuss the issue.

Community Development Director Matt Glaesman says chickens are currently defined as non-domesticated animals, which prohibit them from being housed in residentially zoned areas.

While advocates say other cities in the state have allowed chickens in urban areas, opponents say chickens could become a public nuisance and can raise health concerns.

The St. Cloud city council will take up this issue at a later date.