Lower Burrell mulling over where backyard chickens can live

Lower Burrell Council did not dispute or appeal the city zoning hearing board’s ruling allowing a family to have chickens that serve as pets and satisfy the medical needs of a family member.

But council tabled further discussion last week on whether to change the city’s ordinance governing where chickens can be raised in the city.

Currently, chickens are classified as farm animals in the city. They are allowed in residential areas — but only on sites that are at least 10 acres.

“We’re mulling it over,” Lower Burrell Mayor John Andrejcik said.

While the recent zoning hearing board’s ruling was applied to a unique situation, exploring situations where residents can have chickens on their property could open a Pandora’s box of issues, he said.

“There are a number of things to take into consideration for any change, including cleaning up after the animals,” Andrejcik said. “The biggest factor is the impact on your neighbors.”

City Solicitor Steve Yakopec told council that if they consider more resident requests for chickens in the future, council should revisit city ordinances.

There’s been a resurgence in the popularity of backyard chickens, especially during the covid-19 pandemic, because of high-quality organic eggs and chickens. And some people do like them as pets.

McCandless Township, in the North Hills of Pittsburgh, recently approved a zoning change that allows residents to raise chickens if they can meet certain conditions.

Lower Burrell Councilman Rob Hamilton wants council to discuss allowing residents to have chickens.

“As a property owner with 2-plus acres, I’m not allowed to have chickens or farm animals,” he said.

Hamilton said the restriction is an “overreach of government.

“The city is obligated to discuss it,” he said. “We need to begin to modernize our governing ordinances.”

Hamilton said that he and his family buy locally sourced chicken eggs.

“We don’t buy them from the store,” he said. “We want fresh and natural.”

Hamilton, who has lived on and around farms, noted, “There is something to be said about a family that grows its own food. It’s time to bring that locally sourced food back.”