By Matt Freeze —<\/p>\n
OWEGO \u2014 Details regarding a proposed chicken ordinance for the Village of Owego are still being ironed out, with a new public hearing scheduled for sometime in the future.<\/p>\n
After more public comment on the issue, primarily criticism aimed at the proposed 240 square foot backyard requirement, Trustee Rusty Fuller recommended the board take their time with the ordinance before making things final.<\/p>\n
One resident, Laura Young, criticized the size requirement.<\/p>\n
She said via Zoom that the size restriction is punitive and alleged that the trustees did not have accurate information when drafting language for the ordinance.<\/p>\n
Further, she said that New York State Code Enforcement told her that they receive no training or guidance when it comes to chickens \u2014 \u201cthey seem to have no idea about chickens at all.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCrowing should have been addressed by the OPD under the noise ordinance; birds at large should be covered by the sheriff\u2019s department \u2014 they are to be captured and collected because the birds are being neglected,\u201d she said. \u201cCode should have helped the woman with her coops \u2014 that was well within their purview.\u201d<\/p>\n
Another resident who didn\u2019t identify himself said he felt that village code enforcement is already overburdened with existing building violations.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know personally, I\u2019ve done a lot of research \u2014 I\u2019ve talked to the town and their code enforcement,\u201d Mayor Mike Baratta said. \u201cThe town laws don\u2019t apply to the village because we have our own zoning and code enforcement.\u201d<\/p>\n
Baratta said the town law indicates that chickens fall under livestock, and that livestock permits require five acres of land to apply, which doesn\u2019t apply in the village, since very few have five acres.<\/p>\n
\u201cMaybe we look at lot size and say in order to apply (for a permit), you have to have the median lot size of a quarter acre, and if you do, you can have 20 chickens,\u201d Baratta said. \u201cThat way, code enforcement wouldn\u2019t have to go measure people\u2019s yards.\u201d<\/p>\n
Village Attorney Nathan VanWhy said the idea of the 240 square feet was to align the number of chickens allowed with all the properties in the village \u2014 recognizing that some are too small, and could adjust the number of chickens accordingly.<\/p>\n
He said they could certainly establish incremental limits to how many chickens are allowed based on a quarter, half acre, etc.<\/p>\n
VanWhy mentioned it might be a good idea to allow a variance to take into consideration extenuating circumstances if an individual wants their particular property reviewed for approval.<\/p>\n
Baratta said the current ordinance has deviated quite a bit since the public hearing, and VanWhy agreed it was a good idea to hold another public hearing.<\/p>\n
“I know we\u2019re not trying to drag this out forever, but as recommended, we\u2019re trying to get it as right as we can,\u201d Fuller said. \u201cLet\u2019s get another draft and have another public hearing.\u201d<\/p>\n
(Matt Freeze is a Senior Writer with The Morning Times)<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
By Matt Freeze — OWEGO \u2014 Details regarding a proposed chicken ordinance for the Village of Owego are still being ironed out, with a new…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":107397,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-108604","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\n