It turns out that far fewer people in Murrysville wanted chicken coops in their backyards after all.
With unanimous support, council decided to end discussion on a proposal allowing chicken coops on residential properties. Many agreed they received more pleas to keep chickens out of backyards than in support of chickens moving in.
“I haven't been approached with requests to have chickens,” Joan Kearns, council president, said. “I have been approached with requests not to reduce the acreage.”
Currently, only property owners with more than 10 acres can have chickens.
In February, council tasked the municipal planning commission to review zoning ordinance changes necessary for chickens. Part of the review included proposals for the acceptable number of chickens, size of property lots and types of chickens permitted.
Council occasionally receives requests for domestic chickens, but those amped up in light of neighboring North Huntingdon's domestic chicken proposal, said Jim Morrison, chief administrator.
Although its is closed for now, Morrison said he anticipates the proposal will likely come again in five years or so.
Amanda Dolasinski is a staff writer for Trib Total Media.
