No Chickens for Carisa

South Whitehall Township’s Zoning Hearing Board cried “fowl” Wednesday night and denied 8-year-old Carisa Fogt’s request to keep two chickens as pets at her home.

The variance was brought by her mother Julie, whose property at 2108 Scherer Road is less than half an acre in an R-H (rural holding) designated zone. The zone permits up to 100 chickens if the property is 5 or more acres and if they are kept 150 feet from property lines and 300 feet from roadways.

Stephen Fogt of Bethlehem addressed the board on behalf of his granddaughter. He began by saying that for years Carisa has wanted to keep two chickens as pets.

”I believe that the section of the ordinance was meant to be addressed to allow for the keeping of under 100 chickens, and that keeping chickens is similar to raising rabbits [as pets], “ he said.

He presented a plot plan to the zoners showing the placement of the house on the property.

“Lots to the east and west are empty and currently planted in hay,“ he said. “To the rear is a barn where a horse was kept until it died recently. Across the street to the southeast is a commercial seafood distribution center, and the property to the north is an open field and wetland,” he added.

“The property is zoned to allow for up to 100 chickens, but Carisa doesn’t have any plans to raise chickens to that extent. She has been asking for years if she could keep two hens as pets. I explained that she has to follow the rules, but she kept asking ‘Isn’t there some way I can have them, Pappy?’ and that’s why we’re here tonight. There would only be the two hens, no roosters crowing at 4 a.m. to disturb neighbors,” he added.

Asked if the birds would be kept inside the house, Fogt explained they would be housed in a small coop to the rear of the property. The closest residence, he explained, fronts on Huckleberry Road, with its garage facing Scherer Road.  

After deliberating for approximately 10 minutes, the board voted unanimously to deny the request.

In explaining the decision, board chairman Donald Klein said, “The board is not unsympathetic to having chickens, but chickens are not house pets, and they are not addressed as pets in the ordinance. Our suggestion is that you go to the board of commissioners to have the ordinance changed. Sadly, we had to come to this decision, but that doesn’t prevent you from going to the board [of commissioners].

“I know they’re important to you,” Klein added. “They’re cute and fluffy as chicks, but when they grow up, it’s a different story. I know; I grew up on a chicken farm,” he said.

Board member Matthew Mulqueen reiterated the Fogts should take the request to the commissioners.

Stephen Fogt thanked the board for hearing the appeal, then added that keeping chickens as pets is growing in popularity, citing that some retailers are selling small coops along with their sheds.

There was no comment from Carisa. She left the meeting room in tears.