Borough Resident Wants Backyard Chickens, Council May Cry ‘Fowl’

A Hellertown borough resident who wants to raise backyard chickens made a case for updating the 1964 ordinance that regulates the keeping of animals Monday, but council members weren’t quick to embrace the change she proposed.

Sonja Hughes, of the 1300 block of New Jersey Avenue, asked council to consider changing part of the ordinance, which requires that a chicken coop be at least 75 feet from structures–including the home of their owner.

“The modification I’m asking for is just to exempt the property owner’s own home,” she told council.

Hughes, whose property is surrounded on two sides by the Steel Club, said there are many reasons council should consider easing the restrictions on chicken-rearing, including:

• Self-sustainability
• The additional food security chickens can help provide low-income families
• Chickens’ educational value for children
• The fact that chickens eat pests and their waste can then be used as fertilizer
• Eggs from backyard-raised chickens may be healthier than those purchased at the store

She assured council that noise and odor won’t be an issue if she raises backyard chickens, because the birds sleep at night and don’t contribute to foul odors if they are properly cared for.

Chickens can become prey for larger animals, however with proper oversight this isn’t likely to happen, she said.

“There are currently only a few permits issued for keeping chickens in the borough,” Hughes noted, adding that she would like to have 4 to 6 birds–and no roosters–in a coop.

Council members, however, weren’t quick to embrace the idea of changing the ordinance, which council vice president Phil Weber stressed has been in place for many years.

“These ordinances have been in place a long time and I really don’t know why they chose 75 feet,” he said, adding that research would need to be done about that specific number and why it was chosen.

Hughes, for her part, said she knows of several other municipalities that permit chickens to be raised within 25 feet of a home.

Council also discussed the possibility of Hughes’ applying to the borough’s zoning hearing board for a variance, but in order to prevail she would have to be able to prove a hardship.

“I’m not sure I could prove a hardship in this case,” Hughes said.

Council ultimately decided to have its solicitor, Michael Corriere, review the ordinance and report back with a recommendation, specifically regarding whether a waiver can be granted without making any modifications to the ordinance.

Council’s next meeting will be held Monday, March 19 at 7 p.m. in Hellertown Borough Hall, 685 Main St.