Medina Village Board again declines to take action on backyard chickens

Photo by Tom Rivers: Village Trustee Debbie Padoleski opposes having up to six backyard chickens for residents in the village. She said people who want chickens should live outside the village in a country setting. Village Trustee Jess Marciano, left, wanted to refer the issue to the Village Planning Board for their input.

MEDINA – The Medina Village Board has again declined to task the Village Planning Board with taking up the issue of drafting zoning to allow backyard chickens.

The Village Board on Oct. 28 voted 3-1 to not refer the issue to the Village Planning Board. Diana Baker cast the lone vote in support of having the Planning Board look at the matter. Trustee Jess Marciano was late to that meeting due to jury duty in Buffalo.

At Monday’s Village Board meeting, Marciano went on the record stating her support for having the Planning Board review the issue and consider a possible recommendation on zoning to allow chickens.

Marciano said she posed the issue on Facebook to gauge some public input. Of her 54 repsondents, 20 or 37 percent were “absolutely no” while 11 or 20 percent were in favor with no restrictions, while 23 others or 43 percent favored with some restrictions.

“I believe a compromise could be reached,” Marciano said in making a motion to send the issue to the Planning Board.

Kate Hardner of Lyndonville and a Medina resident again asked the board to allow up to six chickens – with no roosters.

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

In Lyndonville, the Planning Board sent a proposed ordinance to allow chickens, but the Village Board last month decided to take no action on the issue.

Village Trustee Debbie Padoleski said in her discussions with village residents most people overwhelmingly view chickens as farm animals that shouldn’t be permitted in the village.

“If people want them they can go outside the village,” Padoleski said.

She said the Planning Board is very busy “with a lot of things on their plate.” She would prefer the board of volunteers be focused on business development in Medina, and not be tasked with a chicken ordinance.

Trustee Diana Baker said the Planning Board should have an opportunity to weigh in on the issue.

“Let’s see what works and doesn’t work for our community,” she said.

 Mayor Marguerite Sherman said she also took an informal poll while going to grocery store and talking to about 50 people. She said 31 were a “hard no” while 6 were in favor with restrictions and 6 were a yes with no restrictions. Others didn’t have an opinion, she said.

When the issue was brought to vote – whether to send to the Planning Board – it was opposed by Sherman, Padoleski and Mark Prawel. So no action will be taken.