Support Reasonable Hobby Farm and Animal-Keeping Regulations in Brooklyn, Connecticut
Petition to the Brooklyn Planning & Zoning Commission
We, the undersigned residents and supporters of Brooklyn, Connecticut, respectfully ask the Brooklyn Planning & Zoning Commission to review the Town's current R-30 zoning regulations concerning agriculture, livestock, and small hobby farms and consider adopting reasonable standards that allow responsible small-scale animal keeping on residential properties.

Brooklyn has a long agricultural history and remains a rural community where farming, animals, open land, and agricultural traditions are an important part of the Town's character.

The goal of this petition is not to allow unrestricted farming or unlimited numbers of animals on residential lots.

Instead, we are asking the Town to consider regulations that recognize the difference between a large commercial farming operation and a small, responsibly maintained hobby farm.

Reasonable regulations could establish clear standards addressing:

Property size and site suitability
Reasonable numbers and types of animals
Setbacks for barns, shelters, pens, and manure storage
Proper animal containment and fencing
Sanitation and manure management
Drainage and environmental protection
Noise, odor, and impacts on neighboring properties
Generally accepted agricultural practices
Animal health and welfare
These types of objective standards could protect neighboring property owners while also providing residents with a reasonable path to responsibly keep animals.

We also respectfully ask that the Brooklyn Agriculture Commission be included in the review and development of any proposed regulations involving agriculture and livestock so that agricultural experience and the Town's rural character are represented in the process.

Brooklyn should be able to protect residential neighborhoods while also preserving the agricultural character that makes this community unique. These goals do not have to be mutually exclusive.

We respectfully request that the Brooklyn Planning & Zoning Commission:
Review the current R-30 regulations concerning agriculture, livestock, and hobby farming.
Consult with the Brooklyn Agriculture Commission and other appropriate agricultural resources.
Consider creating reasonable, objective standards that would allow small-scale hobby farming and animal keeping on appropriate R-30 properties.
Provide residents with a clear and reasonable process for demonstrating that their property can safely and responsibly accommodate animals.
By signing this petition, we are asking the Town of Brooklyn to begin that discussion and consider regulations that balance responsible animal ownership, neighboring property rights, agriculture, and preservation of Brooklyn's rural character.

Please sign if you support having Brooklyn review its R-30 regulations and consider a reasonable path for responsible small hobby farms and animal keeping.