Goats, chickens, rabbits? West Carrollton considers allowing livestock

West Carrollton leaders will decide tonight if the city will further consider allowing farm animals in residential areas.

City council is scheduled to hold a work session on a proposal to expand guidelines to permit “urban livestock” – goats, chicken/fowl, rabbits or similar small animals.

West Carrollton began looking into the issue at the request of a West Main Street homeowner who appealed a city-issued citation for maintaining ducks in coop, said city Planning Director Greg Gaines said.

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How prevalent the keeping of urban livestock is in West Carrollton is not known, he said.

“We don’t have hard evidence,” Gaines said, “but we are aware of a handful of situations where there may be urban livestock right now. We’re aware of a couple that have potbelly pigs. I think there are some ducks beyond this (West Main Street) property.”

Council will review guidelines from four jurisdictions – Bath Twp. north of Akron, the Cincinnati suburb of Amberley Village, Columbus and Denver – as well as a sample online survey.

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Should council opt to move forward on the issue, “we will seek direction on whether to conduct the survey or to begin preparing draft legislation for their review,” Gaines said in an email.

Amberley Village’s legislation approved in May 2012 permits “domesticated chickens.” Records show they are permitted “under certain conditions” in Cincinnati, and its suburbs of Deer Park, Norwood, Montgomery, Madeira, Wyoming, Glendale, Milford, Terrace Park and Indian Hill.

Amberley Village documents note “there has been a significant trend around the nation and the region to promote urban farming.”

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But in July 2016, Beavercreek City Council voted to keep a ban on owning chickens in residential areas. The decision came after the city planning commission approved zoning regulation changes that would allow them.

That city’s planning commission had recommended approval of zoning code changes would have allowed single-family homeowners with lots of 15,000 square-feet or larger to own up to six chickens. The zoning change also included a one-year sunset provision.

West Carrollton’s sample survey asks whether residents would support zoning changes to “permit small farm animals or livestock on residential properties.”

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It also lists 10 different species – ranging from roosters, red panda cows and bees – seeking opinions on which of them (or others) should be included.

“If we conduct the survey, I would anticipate we would do that as soon as possible,” Gaines said. “ If we begin preparing legislation, I will ask for their feedback on the various ordinances we have provided, relative to models they may prefer that we follow.:

The work session will follow city council’s 6:30 p.m. meeting at the West Carrollton Civic Center.

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