Bethel Park to allow chickens

Bethel Park Council members were eggs-uberant in their use of chicken-related puns as they passed an ordinance allowing chickens as pets in residential areas.
“We are egg-cited about this issue. It’s been cooped up for too long,” Councilman Mark O’Brien said at the council meeting Sept. 10. “I hope this ordinance passes over easy.”
Residents will be allowed to keep chickens in residential zones starting next month. Any resident who wants to raise chickens will have to apply for a permit and pay a $10 fee.
Chickens must be contained within a resident’s property with a secure fence and a predator-proof chicken coop.
As part of the permit process, potential chicken owners must submit a plan for on-site composting of chicken manure.
Residents may have up to four chickens if they have lot size of 3,000 square feet. Those with larger yards can have more chickens, with one chicken for every 1,000 square feet, up to a maximum of 15 chickens.
The ordinance also sets rules for keeping chicken areas clean as well as an easement of at least 10 feet between the chicken coop and neighboring property lines. Chickens must be kept in back yards.
Roosters are not allowed. Hens will be kept for personal use only, since the selling of chickens, eggs or manure is prohibited.
Several residents touted the benefits of raising chickens as a way to produce your own food, to become more self-sufficient and to teach children about agriculture and responsibility.
“I think it’s important that we take responsibility for the food we put in our mouths,” said George Girty of Valley Drive.
Nevertheless, some council members voiced concerns about the difficulty in enforcing rules on cleanliness and manure disposal as well as the possibility that chickens would attract predator animals, such as coyotes. Some council members who cited concerns supported the law anyway, with the intention of revisiting the issue if the chickens proved to be a nuisance, but Councilman Paul Dixon voted against the measure. The ordinance passed 7-1.
“There are a number of issues that trouble me,” said Dixon, who added chickens may not comport to the suburban character of Bethel Park.
Councilman Don Harrison couldn’t resist a good-natured jab at his colleague, by saying Dixon “chickened-out” at the chance to support the new law.
Council President Tim Moury said there are valid concerns about the prospect of raising chickens in Bethel Park and the ordinance tries to address them. But, council will revisit the issue in about a year to see if it’s working.
Council also appointed Timothy Campbell to the vacant council seat representing residents in Ward 2. Brandon Colella resigned his council seat last month after he was arrested on fraud and drug charges. Campbell will serve until the November 2019 municipal election.
Campbell, a physician, helped establish a free medical clinic at the Light of Life Mission’s homeless shelter in Pittsburgh. He also traveled the world on humanitarian medical missions. He previously served on the Bethel Park School Board.
Council interviewed four people for the council seat and members said it was a very difficult decision, since all the candidates were talented and well-qualified to serve.
“I encourage everyone to stay involved. It’s a shame we couldn’t appoint all four of you,” Dixon said.