Chickens can't roost in Lorain after Council strikes down ordinance

LORAIN — No chickens, ducks, peacocks or miniature horses will be allowed to live in the city of Lorain. The majority of City Council voiced their dissent against a proposed ordinance to allow chickens in the International City during a committee meeting Monday evening, with one Council member decrying it as a slippery slope to other, larger livestock. Dan Nutt, D-4th Ward, introduced the legislation last month, which would have allowed up to 12 chickens, but no roosters, on a property with a coop under a special use permit issued by the Safety/Service Director's office. Monday's discussion, which came at the end of a lengthy committee meeting, saw Nutt and Mary Springowski, D-at Large, at odds over the issue. Nutt said the idea behind the proposed legislation was to provide a framework for the animals to be kept safely, and those not adhering to the law to be fined and their chickens removed at the owner's expense. He suggested the enforcement fall under Lorain police's animal complaint officer Larry Swanger. Springowski said Swanger, who retired from Lorain police as a lieutenant last year and was rehired to handle animal complaints, has his hands full with loose dogs, feral cats, coyotes, raccoons and possums. "The only chicken I'm interested in is roasted, (original recipe) or crispy," Springowski said. "I don't think they need to be in the city." She said people will push the envelope beyond chickens to ducks, peacocks and miniature horses if allowed, an assertion with which Nutt disagreed. Springowski and other Council members noted there are already residents with chickens — and roosters — in the city despite the current ban. She said it is a "rarity" for the city to receive complaints. Nutt said if the laws Council passes cannot or are not being followed, it is up to its members to work on new legislation. Beth Henley, D-1st Ward, agreed with Springowski, noting there was a home on the east side with at least three pigs despite the city's similar ban on livestock. "I had a couple people that have contacted me that would like to have chickens," Henley said. "I've had more than 50 that are adamantly opposed." Victoria Kempton, D-2nd Ward, said it would be unfair to expect Swanger to keep track of the chickens while handling other animal complaints. Pam Carter, D-3rd Ward, said the city needs to figure out a way to get rid of the existing birds, rather than allow any more into its limits. Nutt agreed, acquiescing to his fellow Council members' thoughts on the legislation. Instead of legislating for more fowl in the city, the discussion highlighted the need to strengthen existing ordinances, he said, and he said he planned to look at the city's finances for next year to see what could be put toward enforcement. Contact Carissa Woytach at (440) 329-7245 or cwoytach@chroniclet.com.