Poultry and Rabbits To Highlight Farmington PZC Meeting Tuesday

FARMINGTON, CT — The town's zoning board is mulling over three applications involving the raising of chickens and/or livestock in residential zones.

The Farmington Plan and Zoning Commission on Tuesday, Jan. 22, will conduct three separate public hearings on special permit applications to raise animals in residential areas.

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

The PZC meets at 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 22, at Farmington Town Hall, 1 Monteith Drive, with a virtual component allowing residents access to the meeting online

There, local zoning board members will listen to public testimony on the proposals and, possibly, vote on the special permits that night.

• The first hearing is, actually, a continuation of a public hearing that started Dec. 11, 2023 for 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.

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

The hearing started and was continued to Tuesday, Jan. 22, to give Lavoie more time to address concerns about the site raised by local officials.

While no one spoke for or against the operation on Dec. 11, a Winthrop Drive resident — Keith Bernier — did submit written correspondence opposing Lavoie's proposal.

• Meanwhile, resident Douglas Nash of 18 Fairview Drive has submitted an application for a special permit to raise 17 poultry birds in a residential zone.

The PZC Dec. 11 unanimously accepted the application and scheduled a hearing for Monday, Jan. 22.

• The last application to raise animals in a residential area came from Carie Currier of 35 Fairview Drive.

Currier is seeking a special permit to raise 13 poultry hens in a residential zone, with the PZC accepting the application last month and scheduling a public hearing to Tuesday, Jan. 22.

At all three hearings, the public is urged to come out and speak regarding each of the proposals, whether they are for or against the plans.

For the minutes of the Dec. 11 Farmington Plan & Zoning Commission meeting, click on this link.

For the agenda of the Jan. 22 Farmington Plan & Zoning Commission meeting as well as Zoom link information, click on this link.