04/29/2021

To the honorable members of the Scottdale Borough Council and Committee

This petition of the residents at 411 S. Grant St, serves to request a change to:

Ordinance 27-508

Miscellaneous Provisions [Ord. 461A-85, 3/21/1985, amended as Ord. 1099, 11/13/00]

The above-mentioned ordinance has not been revised or amended since the 1999/2000 year and serves the purpose of not allowing the “ownership” of farm animals in the Borough, the reasons for requesting a change to this ordinance is specifically related to allowing the ownership of chickens.

The benefits of chicken ownership have been studied and proven to be beneficial in many ways. Some of these benefits include:

·         There have been many financial and economic changes that have impacted residents of the Scottdale Borough and the ownership of chickens should be seen as more benefit than nuisance. Not only can their eggs and the chickens themselves be used to feed the owners but also less fortunate families. 

·         Chickens serve as the most natural form of insect and pest control available; they will eat anything from fleas, ticks and mosquitos to mice and snakes.

·         Homegrown chicken eggs are more nutritionally beneficial. As a great source of vitamins and nutrients as well as lowering cholesterol. All without exposure to harmful pesticides, hormones, and chemicals. Not to mention they are fresher, and taste better than store bought eggs.

·         Chickens serve as great waste reducers by eating leftovers thus reducing the amount of garbage going to the landfill. Their droppings can also be used as a natural/organic fertilizer to grow food that can be life-sustaining and beneficial for families.

·         They have served as an educational, therapeutic, and entertaining resource to not only the children in the neighborhood, but also the older residents who reflect on days of “growing up” and remembering happy times of their youth.

·         Chickens are a very quiet and family- oriented pet, each has their own personality and are a wonderful source of companionship. They help to lower stress levels and give the owners a way to unwind at the end of a busy day.

While we understand that some residents may find them to be a nuisance and an “eye-sore”, there are things that can be done to satisfy not only those who support owning chickens in the Borough but also those who do not. As well as being a small source of revenue for the Borough. Some suggestions to accommodations that can be made are:

·         Requiring “owners” to register with and pay an annual license fee of $100.00 per flock to Scottdale Borough.

·         Requiring no less than 4 ft high privacy fencing on the area of property in which the chickens will be housed.

·         Limiting the number of birds allowable to 12 in a flock

·         Not allowing Roosters

·         Must not be “free-range.”

Another argument could be that not all “owners” would properly care for the animals on their property, but this is where we suggest bi-annual check-ins from Code Enforcement to ensure that the animals have proper nutrition, in addition to clean, adequate, and properly maintained housing.

 Any violations should be followed first by a notice of violation, then a fine and potential appearance before the Magistrate if violations are not corrected within 14 days, with all costs to be paid by the “owner.” Fine amount should be set forth by Scottdale Borough Council and Committee.