Medina asked to look at allowing backyard chickens in village

MEDINA – The Village Board was asked to consider allowing up to six backyard chickens for residents, with no roosters.

Medina was asked by Katie Hardner, who is leading the effort to have chickens be permitted in Orleans County villages. The Village of Lyndonville Planning Board on Sept. 16 approved an ordinance for backyard chickens. That local law now goes to the Village Board in Lyndonville for review and will need that board’s approval to be adopted.

Hardner attended Medina’s meeting on Monday evening. She urged Medina officials to allow chickens in the village. Hannah Villeyas, a Medina resident, also asked that the poultry be permitted.

Villeyas said chickens provide food, pest control, remove weeds and are great companions. She said allowing chickens gives residents more resilience in an uncertain world, and also contributes to a more sustainable community.

Hardner and supporters of “For Cluck’s Safe” have attended parades and had a booth at the Orleans County 4-H Fair, trying to build support for the cause. She said a small group of chickens are not livestock, and they provide nutritional and mental health benefits for families.

Medina Mayor Marguerite Sherman said she expects the issue will be referred to the Village Planning Board for its input.

In Lyndonville, that Planning Board recommended the village adopt a local law allowing up to six chickens. Residents would need to get a permit (a one-time fee of $25), and the chickens are to be restricted to the rear or backyard of any residential zoning district.

Chicken owners will need to submit photos of the cages or coops where the chickens are housed. The cages shall not exceed 32 square feet or be taller than 7 feet.

The cages or coops need to be at least 30 feet from any door or window of a dwelling, school, church or other occupied structure other than the applicant’s dwelling.

The coops or cages also need to be at 5 feet from a side yard property line and more than 18 inches from a rear lot line. No chickens shall be kept in a front yard or side street yard areas, according to the draft ordinance.