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EP ordinance ruffles some feathers

EAST PALESTINE — A more organic move among non-agricultural land owners to raise chickens for eggs is either a step forward or a step back for the village, but not both, council members say.

Council is continuing a discussion of whether to allow people to raise chickens in village limits, and the matter is getting mixed reviews.

Councilman D.J. Yokley said he feels like allowing chickens in town is a step backward.

“If we are going to try to bring businesses in, I don’t think chickens are going to help us,” he said.

Councilman Don Elzer disagreed and pointed out that allowing chickens in residential areas is a growing trend he has seen not only in Ohio, but other states as well, like New York.

“I think we are better off with them than without them,” he said.

Council began considering a law to allow and regulate the raising of chickens in village limits after several people began asking if it was allowed.

Chickens are also not allowed in residential areas in other municipalities throughout the county, including Columbiana, Leetonia and Lisbon, Planning Commission member John Turner said.

The proposed legislation recommended by Elzer would allow people to keep hens, but not roosters, in village limits, as long as they are kept healthy, well fed and given adequate shelter.

The shelters must follow the same requirements for detached accessory buildings, and the hens must be kept confined to the owners’ property, with no more than one hen for each 800 square feet of parcel or lot area.

The hens can also not be raised for slaughter in village limits.

Under the guidelines, up to nine chickens could potentially take up residence in a yard, and Yokley said he does not want to live next door to someone who has that many chickens.

“I don’t want nine chickens staring me down while I’m out in my yard,” he said.

He and others on council were also concerned about whether the hens would be unsanitary, but building and zoning inspector John Simon said the village’s existing ordinances should address those issues.

“Most of the complaints that we get are when they are out of their cage and they get in the road or in the yard. The main concern is that they are always over in everybody’s yard,” Simon said.

Although Simon would be the one mainly in charge of their regulation, if a law is established for the regulation, enforcement for any violation would also go through the local police department.

“Do you really want our police to spend time worrying about chickens,” Mayor Margo Zuch asked.

Turner said the matter was discussed extensively among the commission, and members felt more clarification was needed.

The commission is drafting a letter to present to council soon outlining its recommendations.

In other business, council approved:

— Legislation amending specifications for the size of private garages permitted on residential property.

— Legislation establishing new requirements for street excavation and repair.

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