Madison Continues to Discuss How Many Chickens Residents Can Have

Discussion of regulations pertaining to the keeping of chickens and other poultry.

Madison Town Planner David Anderson asked the Planning and Zoning Commission at a recent meeting what direction it wanted to take on the issue of regulations for chickens.

Chairman Clark stated, according to zoning meeting minutes, that it is questionable whether there should be a blanket approval of 100 chickens per acre on five acres or more, especially if some of those five-acre parcels are in residential areas, and he proposed that such applications be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

He questioned how the Planning and Zoning Commission would achieve that type of management, regarding allowing chickens and other poultry; for instance, how many chickens should be allowed, and how would the town achieve oversight of density?

Mr. Anderson stated that the Planning and Zoning Commission could determine that special exception permit modification approval be required, along with incorporating suggestions from the Conservation Commission, such as requiring manure management plans, creating setbacks of 100 feet from adjacent property lines, as well as setbacks from wetlands.

There can be restrictions the commission implements, he stated. In addition, the regulation could incorporate more nuanced language, such as the Planning and Zoning Commission will evaluate each location, to ensure there are no adverse affects to adjacent property owners or to the environment, according to Mr. Anderson.

Vice Chairman Larson asked whether there is a big request for this many chickens on a property, and Mr. Anderson stated there is not; however, in the agritourism application, which the commission just approved, there was a request to allow 100 chickens per acre on parcels of five acres or more, but it was withdrawn.

That application made it apparent the zoning regulations might have to be changed, since currently the town allows 10 chickens on property.

Chairman Clark stated that the town is encouraging agritourism, which allows people to reduce their taxes on their property, and allowing them to also raise chickens would increase their income; this could be an attractive business opportunity for somebody, but not every five-acre parcel could accommodate this type of agriculture.

Mr. Anderson stated that the Planning and Zoning Commission has to do something—either change the current regulations to go toward adopting a new policy or stay with what the town currently has in place.

It appears the Planning and Zoning Commission wants to do something about the issue, according to Mr. Anderson. Secretary Traugh stated that there are very different types

of chickens and chicken farmers, some have chickens primarily for egg laying, and others do so to produce chicken meat.

He wondered whether the Planning and Zoning Commission is going a little over its head in trying to put a number on how many chickens should be allowed on a parcel; in addition, commissioners need to know what kind of chickens they are talking about.

This can get surprisingly complicated, Secretary Traugh stated.

Mr. Anderson suggested this matter be taken up in subcommittee work, which he estimated should take no longer than two months, and it would have a higher priority than tightening the sign regulations; studies could be done during the subcommittee work, and experts could be brought in to help with the process.

Commissioner Matteson stated that the town of Guilford has no limit on the number of chickens for a commercial farm, but limits are set for residential properties, adding he believes Madison’s current limit of 10 chickens for five acres is just wrong. It was decided the subcommittee assigned to sign regulations would also do the work for chicken regulations, making the chicken issue the priority.