Town Planner Tasked with Drafting Chicken Ordinance

By DORIE SOUTHERN
Cape Charles Wave

March 10, 2014

“If written properly, a backyard chicken ordinance is feasible for Cape Charles. It boils down to whether or not the Town wants it,” Town Planner Rob Testerman told the Planning Commission March 4. Commissioners agreed that Testerman should draft a suggested ordinance to allow keeping backyard chickens under controlled conditions. At present, the town’s ban on agricultural activities in residential areas contains no exception for chickens.

“Backyard (urban) chickens are allowed in residential districts in various localities across the country, state, and Eastern Shore, from city settings such as Madison, WI; Chicago, IL; and Brooklyn, NY; to small rural towns like Onancock, Chincoteague, and Eastville,” Testerman reported. “They are allowed on lots as small as 3,000 square feet, or in some cases the minimum lot is much larger,” he said. Two towns that do not allow backyard chickens are Exmore and Wachapreague, he noted.

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Testerman reviewed factors including noise, odor, disease, predators, lot sizes, the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act impact, and fire concerns, and said that a chicken ordinance could be enforced in the same manner as other zoning ordinances.

What about turkeys, goats, or pigs? “The simple answer,” Testerman said, “is that if Town Council directs staff to research any one of those things, staff will research it, and present findings to the Planning Commission for a recommendation to Council.”

The Planning Commission asked staff to prepare a draft ordinance for the April meeting that will be a starting point for specific requirements. At that time, the Planning Commission may discuss or change any of the specific requirements and regulations.

Town staff has been discussing the feasibility of a community survey to better gauge the feelings of the property owners. Logistics and possible costs need to be determined before proceeding, Testerman said.

After gaining public input and modifying the upcoming draft, a public hearing could be scheduled.

In other Planning Commission business, Dan Burke made a motion to allow any commissioner to extend speaking time allowed to members of the public for an extra three minutes. In recent meetings the chairman has twice stopped speakers from completing their remarks, even though no one else was waiting to speak. The motion passed unanimously.

Testerman reported that the Accomack-Northampton County Planning District Commission has almost finished reviewing the Town’s Comprehensive Plan, which it is updating under contract. The next step will be to schedule meetings to receive public input.

Testerman also reported that town staff have reviewed and responded to the architect’s plans for the Cape Charles Lofts project to convert the old school in Central Park into an apartment complex.