Lorain Council avoids discussion on chickens in city

LORAIN — Lorain residents and elected officials will have to wait to squawk about chickens in the International City. An ordinance that could legalize residents having up to 12 birds in the city was sent to a second reading after members shot down a motion to send it to committee for further discussion at Monday's regular meeting. Councilman Dan Nutt, D-4th Ward, introduced the potential legislation and attempted to send it to committee. Voting against sending it to committee were Council members Mary Springowski, D-at Large; Tony Dimacchia, D-at Large; Beth Henley, D-1st Ward; Pam Carter, D-3rd Ward; JoAnne Moon, D-5th Ward; and Josh Thornsberry, D-8th Ward. Instead, the issue moved to a second reading and will be on the July 7 agenda. After the session, Nutt said he wanted the matter to go to a committee meeting to allow members to air their concerns and ask questions about the proposal. Under the proposed law, up to 12 chickens would be allowed on a property in a coop with a run a minimum of 20 feet from a home and at least 10 feet from any side yard and 5 feet from the back lot line. Roosters would not be allowed. The birds would be allowed under a special use permit issued by the Safety/Service Director's office once a coop, run and other amenities had been inspected by city officials and deemed in alignment with the ordinance. Currently, no farm animals, including chickens, are allowed in Lorain. Nutt said he will be sending the matter to committee at Council's next regular meeting. In other news, Council approved the final plat for the Sandy Springs subdivision on the far west side. While the city's Planning Commission approved the matter in early April, Council had waylaid its approval until a third reading due to outstanding concerns on the property. Thornsberry, who represents the area, said the city worked with the development team to address concerns like low-lying areas on the property and the need for retention ponds. The resolution passed Monday allows the development to continue, contingent on a tentative agreement reached between the city and the developer addressing concerns about the subdivision. That agreement was reached late Monday, Thornsberry said. Contact Carissa Woytach at (440) 329-7245 or cwoytach@chroniclet.com