Farmington PZC OK's Two Home Poultry Operations, Unsure Of Another

FARMINGTON, CT — The town's zoning board Monday said "yes" to two applications that would allow residents to raise chickens in a residential area.

But the Farmington Plan & Zoning Commission is still debating the merits of a third proposal, which would have the applicant raising poultry and rabbits at his home.

The PZC Tuesday closed three separate public hearings on special permit applications.

Because of zoning laws, plans to raise livestock and poultry require PZC approval via special permits.

• The PZC Tuesday did not act on resident Michael Lavoie's application to raise 30 rabbits, 20 chickens, and six ducks at his 12 Winthrop Drive property.

The site is zoned residential and Lavoie is seeking a special permit to operate a home business there regarding the animals.

Lavoie already has animals on the property, according to meeting minutes from Dec. 11.

No one spoke for or against the operation on Tuesday, but PZC members still expressed concerns about the number of animals slated to be raised at the residence.

As a result, the PZC voted to table any action on the application.

The tabling came after commissioners were unable to approve the application after a motion was made to do so.

This is because various PZC members proposed variations of plans regarding how many animals can be, specifically, raised there.

During the hearing, Lavoie did clarify some facility concerns board members had at a prior meeting.

• Meanwhile, the PZC unanimously approved a special permit application from resident Douglas Nash of 18 Fairview Drive to raise 17 poultry birds in a residential zone.

The application drew no comments from the public during the public hearing, which was closed, and the PZC easily approved the special permit with some conditions.

Those conditions dealt with specifics such as the structure and fencing of where they would be kept and the storage of food and disposal of waste, among other issues.

• PZC members then approved the last application to raise animals in a residential area, this one from Carie Currier of 35 Fairview Drive.

Currier was seeking a special permit to raise 13 poultry hens in a residential zone, a permit that was unanimously approved after no one commented for or against the application.

For the minutes of the Jan. 22 Farmington Plan & Zoning Commission meeting, click on this link.

From Jan. 19: 'Poultry and Rabbits To Highlight Farmington PZC Meeting Tuesday