WESTFIELD — An amended ordinance to allow backyard chickens by right in Westfield will be going for public hearings in the City Council on May 1 at 7 p.m. and to the Planning Board on May 6 at 7 p.m.
Ward 3 Councilor Ralph Figy first introduced an ordinance to allow backyard chickens two years ago when he was approached by concerned residents in his ward who wanted to keep chickens, but are not allowed to in Westfield according to the animal control ordinances. Figy decided to propose a zoning ordinance change that would allow chickens within certain parameters.
“Currently, chickens are only allowed to be kept in Rural Residential zoning with a minimum of 5 acres,” Figy said at the time, adding that a lot of people living in residential zones had chickens that were illegal. He said the ordinance was only enforced by the Board of Health if there were complaints.
After several well-attended public hearings, mostly in favor of backyard chickens, that ordinance went to committee but was eventually withdrawn without prejudice. Figy said the ordinance is being reintroduced for a number of reasons.
“I think there’s a combination of reasons. When we withdrew it, we understood that we’d be bringing it back. There are also the spiking egg prices,” Figy said.
Recently, Councilor Nicholas Morganelli got involved in updating the ordinance. The two met and discussed it with City Planner Jay Vinskey, and came up with a much simpler version.
“I personally will be listening to the public hearings so we can do our very best to create an ordinance that is safe and allows homeowners to have chickens. Many communities in Massachusetts have done this and are successful. We have used that as a guide to create this one,” Morganelli said.
The new ordinance, which is available for viewing at www.cityofwestfield.org/applications under zoning ordinance amendments, proposes allowing backyard chickens to be maintained by right for single or two-family non-commercial use with certain conditions.
On a lot containing at least 5,000 square feet a maximum of six hens — no roosters — would be allowed; or on a lot of at least 20,000 square feet, a maximum of 12 hens — no roosters.
The owner must register with the city’s animal control officer, who must be allowed access to the property for inspection. Figy said the animal control officer would be the assigned authority.
A suitable coop must be provided, with it and any run areas located at least 30 feet from any neighborhood residence and 10 feet from any lot line.
Other proposed requirements in the amended ordinance state that the birds are maintained only within the subject lot, but outside of the front yard setback, at all times; the shelter, run and feed storage areas are secured and maintained to limit rodents, stormwater runoff, dust and odor so as not to constitute a nuisance or safety hazard, and on-site slaughtering is prohibited outside of the Rural Residential District.
Also, any quantity of birds, exclusive of immature offspring, kept in excess of the ordinance or on a lot smaller than specified will require a special permit from the Board of Appeals.
Additionally, the ordinance goes on to say that where not otherwise regulated, any livestock or farm animal, including a horse, may not be kept on a lot of less than 5 acres.
Farm animals/livestock of any type or quantity may be kept as an accessory use for personal and non-commercial purposes in the Rural Residential District on lots of 5 acres or more (subject to any non-zoning regulations), or if authorized by a special permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals, on a lot of at least 60,000 square feet in the RR district.
The proposed ordinance will be available for comment at a City Council public hearing next week on May 1 and at a Planning Board public hearing the following week on May 6 during the 7 p.m. meetings in City Council Chambers, Room 207, City Hall, 59 Court St.