Riled-up River Heights residents reject racing pigeons
A racing-pigeon enthusiast has learned River Heights is no place to practice his hobby.
City council's appeals committee voted Thursday to overturn a Board of Adjustment decision that would have allowed Karim Lowen to build a pigeon aviary on his residential property.
On Sept. 15, the Board of Adjustment granted Lowen a conditional-use permit as well a zoning variance to build an aviary under 100 square feet in size.
City planners supported the variance, provided Lowen agreed not to release more than 20 of his thoroughbred racing birds at any time and none whatsoever during midday hours on weekends, holidays or during the warmer months.
No fewer than five of Lowen's neighbours appealed the board's decision, citing potential health and noise concerns related to the pigeon aviary — while more than 100 signed a petition against the birds.
"Property values will decrease as most people do not want to be close to this type of structure," Toby Shapiro wrote in a letter to the city.
"I don't have anything against racing pigeons, but everything has a place and a time," said Ariel Karabelnicoff, another anti-pigeon appellant. "This is a residential neighbourhood. It's very populated."
Pigeon racing involves the release of specially trained pigeons hundreds of kilometres from their coops and noting which birds fly home the fastest. These birds bear little resemblance to the feral rock doves found around bridges and derelict buildings, as pigeon racers say those birds aren't fast enough to race or avoid predators such as kestrels and peregrine falcons.
"It's like comparing a stray dog to a greyhound race dog, because that's what these are — they're athletes of the sky," said Lowen, who has raised pigeons before.
Pigeon racers in Winnipeg can pay hundreds for a thoroughbred bird, though many breed their own. The City of Winnipeg has approved facilities for raising both racing and show pigeons since the 1970s, provided the aviaries are kept clean and regularly maintained.
Zoning regulations, however, require homeowners to apply for a conditional-use permit for the aviaries.
Lowen said anti-pigeon sentiment is unfounded, as most people don't even notice pigeon aviaries.
"There are three lofts right by the Pan Am clinic and a lot of people don't even realize there are pigeons there," he said.
