Family Takes Chicken Case to Commissioners

Stephen Fogt made a pitch to South Whitehall commissioners Wednesday night for a zoning change that would ultimately allow his 8-year-old granddaughter to keep two .

Fogt and his daughter, Julie, decided to approach commissioners after township zoners in August a variance to the township ordinance to allow for the chickens.

Fogt's granddaughter Carisa, who had been upset by the zoners' denial, didn't attend the commissioners' meeting.

Fogt, in repeating his argument to zoners, pointed out that residents are allowed to keep up to four rabbits without any restrictions.

"Chickens are similar to rabbits in that they are about the same size and both are generally kept outside in small pens or cages," he said.

The commissioners seemed sympathetic to the Fogts' case.

"If we can accomodate race cars," said Commissioner Dale Daubert in reference to a race car housed in the Fogts' neighborhood, "surely we can accomodate a couple chickens."

However, since any changes to the wording of an ordinance would have broader implications, Commissioner Tori Morgan said township staff should review the Fogts' request for zoning changes.

The commissioners said they would act following that review.