Plymouth BZA hears 3 requests for chickens in R-2 zoning district

Should chickens be allowed in the R-2 suburban residential district that surrounds the Plymouth city limits?  That was a question members of the Plymouth Board of Zoning Appeals had to consider Tuesday night.   

The Plymouth BZA heard three separate requests for a variance of use and where the property owners already have chickens.     

Ionel and Christian Turein at 11626 Lawndale Avenue moved from Missouri with chickens and told their realtor they needed a property that would allow poultry, and they said this property was ok for chickens. Currently the Tureins have 25 chickens and use a shed for the coop with a small run.  

During the public hearing two people spoke in favor and three individuals spoke against.  Following a discussion between board members the Plymouth BZA voted 3 to 2 to give a variance for 12 chickens and no roosters for 1 year to allow the Board of Zoning to research farm animals in an R-2 zoning district. If the BZA doesn’t make changes the variance would stand.  The family was given a week to get rid of the extra chickens. 

Cameron and Brittany Connolly at 10567 Olive Trail were seeking a variance for 5 chickens for the family's egg needs on the 1.29-acre property.  While their property is zoned R-2, the area is primarily agricultural and not in a subdivision.   The city’s new comp plan shows the property as R-1.  

The Connollys have a 10x12 shed and a 15x15 chicken run.  

During the public hearing two letters of support were read from neighbors.  

The Plymouth BZA granted a variance of use to allow 5 chickens with no roosters on the property.  

The final variance request for chickens was from Steve Craft at 11165 Forest Drive.  Craft said when he was getting the pool inspected, he found out that chickens were not allowed.  

Craft said before he installed a 6-foot privacy fence the chicken roamed through the neighborhood.   

During the public hearing 10 people spoke with the majority opposed to allowing chickens in the subdivision.  

There was lots of discussion between BZA members and some of the audience.  Member Paul Wendel made a motion to approve 4 chickens for 1-year to allow the BZA time to research farm animals in the R-2 zoning district, but it died for lack of a second.  Mark Gidley made a motion to deny the chickens and it didn’t get a second, so it also died. 

The Plymouth Board of Zoning Appeals couldn’t get a motion so the chickens are in violation and must be removed within a week.  If the BZA enacts a change to allow chickens in an R-2 zoning district Craft can apply for a variance to allow chickens.