Battle over backyard chickens resumes in North Huntingdon

North Huntingdon officials this week once again clashed over how to regulate backyard chickens in a prelude to a future public hearing on a proposed ordinance that will set parameters on how hens can be raised in a residential neighborhood.

Commissioners on Thursday expressed conflicting opinions on what they wanted in an ordinance, some seeking rules that backyard chicken owners need more land than the 1 acre being proposed, while others are willing to permit chickens in less than one-quarter acre. The current ordinance requires 10 acres.

To Commissioner Brian Blasko, 1 acre is too small and it should be expanded to 3 acres, with coops at least 100 feet from the property line.

“I bet we will be lucky to have 100 people who want them” out of the township’s population of about 31,000, said Commissioner Eric Gass, who has said he favors families raising backyard chickens.

Gass would allow chickens on less than an acre and did not believe the township would be overwhelmed with families applying for permits to raise them.

A maximum of six hens and no roosters would be permitted under the proposal. Owners can have only one hen house, which could be moved around the yard, but the chickens would not be free to roam. The hen house must be at least 20 feet from the property line and 40 feet from a neighbor’s house.

To Commissioner Virginia Stump, a “vast majority” of people in the township support backyard chickens.

Stump said she could accept chickens in a property of 10,000 square feet, which is less than one-fourth acre. She also pointed out that residents now have chickens on less than an acre.

“What do you say to those who already have it,” Stump said. “We should find a way to legalize these people.”

But, Blasko countered that, “there is no way we can grandfather them in,” referring to rules that would permit existing backyard chicken owners to keep their hens.

Commissioners Zachary Haigis, board president, said he does not support backyard chickens.

Planning director Ryan Fonzi, however, said that if chickens are permitted on smaller parcels, there could be more applicants. Enforcing any ordinance will require staff time, with involvement by the code enforcement officer and building inspector.

Assistant manager Mike Turkey said he did not believe the township should accommodate people who want to raise chickens on a quarter acre.

Jeff Silka, township manager, said he hopes the commissioners approve an ordinance that is “manageable.”

“I did not want the staff to become fulltime agriculture officers,” Silka said.

One chicken owner, Ashley Egan, argued that her family should be permitted to keep their four hens, which they consider family pets.

“We want chickens in our backyard, not chickens on our farm,” Egan said.

Egan received a citation several months ago for violating the acreage requirement in the existing ordinance. She objected to a clause that would require chicken owners to get permission from neighbors.

Kelly Yurchison started a petition on Change.org seek support to update North Huntingdon’s backyard chicken ordinance. She and her family were cited by the township for their five chickens after a neighbor filed a complaint. Her petition had nearly reached its goal of 1,500 signatures.

She declined to comment this week.

North Huntingdon housing developer Bob Shuster said the covenants governing property owners in his housing plans prohibit raising livestock.

“I grew up on a farm with chickens. Not pleasant. Period,” Shuster said.