Brandon Twp.- Bring on the chickens, but hold the roosters.
The township board approved 4-2 at their Dec. 1 meeting the first reading of an ordinance amendment that will allow residents with lot sizes of 2.5 acres or more to keep up to 25 class III animals. For each full acre in excess of 2.5 acres, five additional class III animals will be permitted. The ordinance amendment also specifies that a maximum of one rooster shall be permitted per land owner, regardless of how many lots or parcels are owned.
In another motion, the board approved the first reading of an ordinance amendment that defines class III animals as animals that weigh less than 75 pounds, including rabbits, poultry and waterfowl.
Building and Planning Director Bill Dinnan said the changes were recommended by the planning commission, which was prompted to examine zoning ordinance amendments after several inquiries by residents about how many chickens are allowed on 2.5 acres.
‘When we say ‘One,? they think we are crazy,? said Dinnan.
The township’s current zoning ordinance does allow only one chicken, unless a resident is operating under the Right to Farm Act, in which animals raised are being used for profit. Right to Farm covers children raising animals for 4-H, for example. The new ordinance amendments are meant for residents who are raising animals for their own personal consumption (eggs or meat), Dinnan explained. He was unsure how long the ordinance allowing only one chicken per 2.5 acres had been in place, but he and Supervisor Kathy Thurman noted it came about after a previous problem in the township with emus, native to Australia and the second-largest bird in the world in height after the ostrich, reaching up to 6.5 feet. Emus weigh between 40 and 130 pounds on average.
Thurman voted no on the ordinance amendment because she felt 25 allowed class III animals was too many.
‘Farming is permitted in Brandon,? she noted. ‘This ordinance is for people who want animals for their own purpose, but a lot of people move here for fresh air and peace and quiet. People want to raise all the animals they want, but they have to realize they are living next to someone who wants peace and quiet.?
Dinnan said the biggest complaint has been roosters, which will now be limited to one. The planning commission decided 25 for other class III animals was ‘reasonable? after debating several numbers.