Unity planners weigh possible changes to backyard chicken regulations

Unity’s planning commission this week heard from backyard chicken advocates who want fewer township restrictions on their hobby and from other residents who say living near chickens has ruined their quality of life.

The planning board listened to testimony from both sides after the township supervisors asked it to recommend whether zoning language that requires a minimum of 2 acres for raising fowl and at least a 100-foot setback for a chicken coop should be changed.

The issue of backyard chickens ruffled feathers over the past year as township zoning official Harry Hosack issued violation notices after responding to complaints about people raising the birds in residential areas.

Kristin and Jeff Kuhns, who are raising 20 chickens in their Range Street yard, are seeking a variance in an appeal of their case, presented Tuesday before the zoning hearing board. Some others gave up their birds. Yet others remain in limbo, since the township suspended enforcement of the zoning requirement until officials determine whether it should be amended.

Kristin Kuhns told the planning commission there has been a nationwide surge of interest in raising backyard chickens. She said she considers Unity’s zoning ordinance to be out of date, confusing and ambiguous.

She argued chickens are “not just farm animals” and should be recognized in other capacities — including as pets or emotional-support animals.

She asked the township to consider other ways of regulating chickens, instead of setting acreage requirements. She suggested licensing and inspecting backyard chicken operations, with a supporting fee that could be charged per bird.

“I think this is a good compromise because it gives the township some control over their chicken population while allowing residents to keep backyard chickens,” she said.

Some advocates suggested the township could consider creating a freestanding ordinance governing chickens, separate from the zoning ordinance, as neighboring Latrobe did in 2016.

Adam Liske, a Unity resident who owns six hens, said he would submit his proposed guidelines for keeping fowl in the township. “If you have a small lot, guess what, you need a small number of chickens,” he said. “If you have a big lot, you can have more chickens.”

James Ross, Lisa Flanyak and Jim Hill, who are neighbors of Kuhns, spoke in favor of keeping existing restrictions on chickens. All said the noise from the Kuhns flock disturbs them.

“I have no peace and quiet,” Flanyak said, indicating there are chicken coops within about 5 feet of her property.

“I’m waking up at 3 in the morning to crowing chickens,” Hill said. “I work three jobs. I can’t afford to lose half an hour of sleep.”

Dave Kmetz told the commission a neighbor’s chickens used to stray onto his property along Frye Farm Road and would eat his strawberries. He said it would make it difficult for him to sell his home if there were chicken coops on an adjacent property.

Planning commission Chairman Tom Baumann said other Unity residents who want to submit written comments supporting or opposing a change in township chicken regulations may email them to grause@unitytownship.org before the commission’s March 2 meeting.