MANSFIELD, Ohio –A local group that hopes to change Mansfield’s chicken ordinance held a public meeting April 28 at the North End Community Improvement Collaborative (NECIC) in Mansfield. More than a dozen residents turned out to express their interest, support, and concerns regarding backyard flocks within city limits.
Mansfield’s current ordinance allows chickens on parcels of three or more acres, but only with a permit issued by the director of codes and permits.
Spanish Immersion School teacher Gabe Costa, who is investigating the possibility of chickens at the school, said he had spoken with codes and permits regarding a chicken coop and a greenhouse on school property. The school sits on 3.2 acres, he noted.
Costa said he had no response yet. The school fits the criteria of three or more acres, but a permit must still be issued by the director of codes and permits.
One resident said that she had once owned chickens inside city limits, and her neighbors were happy with the fresh eggs and even fresh chicken that had been properly raised. “It was a positive experience,” she said.
Keeping neighbors happy was a top concern in the discussion, with group members noting that no roosters would be allowed, setbacks should be considered, and waste disposal or composting should be addressed.
Residents suggested the group refer to ordinances in place in cities with a similar population to Mansfield. Costa addressed Cleveland Heights’ ordinance, which is one city comparable to Mansfield, but the group noted that the ordinance required a “conditional use” permit, something Mansfield chicken hopefuls don’t wish to pursue.
Diana Brown said, “The planning commission…they don’t get paid, and for them to sit there with chicken permits, and sending out letters…that would complicate things.”
Matthew Stanfield, who volunteered to head the group, agreed more research was necessary, “I think that makes good sense, to look at two or three similar-sized cities, see what’s in their ordinances, who they have enforcing, how it gets enforced, which may be more than just reading the ordinances. We may actually have to contact the cities themselves, and see how this has worked. After we cobble something from that, glean from those what we want, then we can see what is not addressed that we think we need to.”
NECIC Community Garden/Local Foods Program Coordinator Jean Taddie asked at what point the group would like to approach city council. Members agreed that a proposal should be in order before presentation.
“I think council would appreciate more us coming with having done our homework and saying this is what we want,” Stanfield said.
Most residents in attendance were in favor of changing the ordinance to allow chickens, and perhaps even ducks and quail.
Michael Mount, who is currently running for council representative of the 6th ward, said he may eventually become a chicken owner if the ordinance passes. “I’ve wanted to for quite some time. At the moment, I don’t have time for it, but at some point in the future, I would do it,” he said.
Mansfield resident Sherrie Hartz expressed some concern for worst case scenarios. “You are always going to have people who will push it right to the limit,” she explained.
Hartz noted that she didn’t mind the idea of a few chickens for those that would follow guidelines.
“This is something that is going to impact me, so I’m concerned about it, but I wouldn’t mind helping form the law so that everybody has a say in it and there is some type of authority, and people know they will get a response if they need to call,” she said.
The group will meet again in two weeks to review researched ordinances. All interested residents are encouraged to attend. The meeting will be held at NECIC, 199 North Main Street, Mansfield, on Tuesday, May 12, at 4 p.m.
