North Huntingdon commissioners may be at odds over allowing residents to keep chickens, but they did come to a consensus on how to move forward in updating the existing ordinance.

Board members Thursday agreed to take a look at President Zachary Haigis’ suggestion of requiring a special-use variance to keep the fowl.

“They would apply for a special permit, and come here to show us their plans,” Haigis said. “That will give people an avenue to maybe do it, and also give people with concerns a way to address them.”

A public hearing this week drew almost 40 speakers, who were about split between keeping the ordinance or updating it.

The current ordinance requires at least 10 acres to raise chickens, and even some commissioners opposed to updating the rules felt that lot size requirement was a bit excessive.

Commissioner Brian Blasko suggested reducing the requirement to 3 acres.

“We can see how it works,” he said. “If we get no permit applications, I have no problem meeting back here and reducing it to 2 acres in two months.”

The draft ordinance would reduce that acreage to 10,000 square feet, less than a quarter acre.

“I’d be in agreement to come down to 3 acres, and to lower it if that works,” said Commissioner Ronald Zona. “But to go down this far, I don’t agree with. And to say that we need to change our laws, so that people who are voluntarily violating our ordinances can be brought into compliance? That’s absurd.”

Blasko agreed.

“This began because of two families were cited for violating the ordinance in March,” he said. “They applied for a variance, and they were denied. This drives me nuts, rewarding illegal behavior.”

Councilwoman Virginia Stump said she felt updating the ordinance would save township staff the time and cost of dealing with the issue.

“There are people doing it now who are not disturbing their neighbors in any way,” Stump said.

Zona said changing the ordinance was, in effect, disrespecting the residents who brought the issue to the commissioners.

“We’re going to change the law, which is basically a slap in the face to those neighbors who brought this to us in the first place,” Zona said. “That’s shameful.”

Stump said requiring a special-use variance would add more work for township staff.

Haigis said the fees and legwork associated with securing such a permit would help ensure that applicants are serious about raising chickens .

“I think that’s the exact reason why we should do this,” Haigis said. “That way, we don’t have someone who thinks it would cute to buy their kid a couple chickens for Easter. If someone knows they’re going to have to spend a little more money — they have to go before the board and explain how they’re going to keep them — you’ll have someone who is going to be dedicated to doing this.”

Council asked staff to bring back an updated draft of the ordinance to incorporate language about the special-use permit.

Township Manager Jeff Silka noted that, even though the board is not likely to vote on it, the current draft version of the ordinance will appear on the next board agenda, because it has been advertised for adoption. The next meeting is at 7 p.m. Sept. 16 and can be watched online at www.township.north-huntingdon.pa.us.

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