Vandergrift officials peck away at residential chicken ordinance
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Vandergrift officials want a little more time to address regulations for backyard chickens.
Discussions began about three months ago, when a three-person committee was formed in response to residents wanting to raise chickens.
A draft ordinance that would establish a permitting process, regulations on coups and possible punishments for violations was submitted to council last week, said Solicitor Alaine Generelli.
Council was expected to approve its advertisement Monday night, but decided to postpone until November after a lengthy debate.
Most of the talk centered around roosters and fines.
Councilman Thomas Holmes said he does not want any cockerels grandfathered in with the new ordinance because they are already against borough codes.
“There is a clear ordinance (for) fowl that make noises,” he said. “I’m not in favor of grandfathering something that is a violation of an ordinance already.”
He also objected to a proposed $1,000 fine or 30 days in jail for violations being used as “a political weapon” against people.
“The rest of it looks OK,” Holmes said of the ordinance. “If they don’t comply, they’ve got to get rid of the chickens. That’s plain and simple the answer. Maybe you get one warning and their chickens go.”
Other council members also argued against having jail time as a form of punishment, and suggested no fees for permit applications.
Generelli said the proposed fines were “not to exceed $1,000,” and those numbers could be adjusted.
She also suggested having some type of permit fee so the borough can recoup costs to enforce the ordinance such as responding to complaints and possible inspections.
Inspections would be conducted by a borough code officer if there is a chicken-related complaint. There are no proposed setback requirements.
Residents would be required to keep their chickens in an enclosed or fenced-in area at all times, and owners would be required to have a hen house, with the chickens secured in the hen house during nondaylight hours.
Councilman John Uskuraitis, who earlier in the meeting received a state award for valor in response to a January fire, attempted to vote on advertising the ordinance provided it prohibited roosters.
“I’m sick of dragging this out,” he said.
Councilwoman Karen McClarnon recommended seeking more public input before moving forward with the ordinance. Elected leaders eventually opted to hold off approvals for another month.
Council did receive some public input Monday night.
South Buffalo Township resident Phil Tompkins, owner of Rent The Chicken, spoke about how chickens not only provide people eggs and food, but also serve as therapy animals for seniors, veterans and children with autism.
“They’ve been part of America since before we were the United States,” Tompkins said.
He also commended council for taking up the issue and recommended they remove jail time as a punishment for the ordinance violation.