The Logan Township supervisors recently proposed an ordinance amendment that would make explicit for residential zones a prohibition against chickens and other animals typically kept on farms — a proposal that angered a resident at the meeting.

Jim Fisher of the 2900 block of 11th Street in Beverly Hills has kept chickens in his yard for years without incident, as has a group of neighbors, he told the supervisors — who postponed action on the ordinance because one of their colleagues was absent.

Fisher began keeping the chickens for their eggs when he retired, but before he did, he searched the township website and saw no prohibition against them, he said.

He came to the meeting after learning that the prohibition was implicit for residential zones — and that the proposed ordinance would spell that out, he said.

He has a garden too — and they’re not explicitly prohibited — but are they also implicitly prohibited, he asked supervisors.

Planning Director Cassandra Schmick said no, gardens are not, but added that gardens are a typical accessory in residential zones, as are swing sets, sheds and gazebos.

Chickens are not, she said.

Chickens are typical of farms, which is why the proposed new ordinance would make clear that chickens, pigs, geese, llamas and other such animals are only permitted in the township’s agricultural zones, she said.

Zoning law establishes prohibitions by implication because it’s impossible to spell out every possible prohibited use, Schmick said.

Fisher keeps his chickens in a coop in the middle of his eight-tenths of an acre property, he said.

He takes care of them, and composts the droppings, he said.

They cause no issues — and neither do the chickens that some of the neighbors keep, he said.

And yet there have been animal issues in the township lately, which is why the supervisors are trying to clarify the situation, said Supervisor Ed Frontino.

“Not everybody is as responsible as you,” Frontino told Fisher.

Complaints have come to township officials about a pig, horses and a donkey brought into one residential area, Frontino said.

The pig routinely gets out and rips up a neighbor’s yard, he said.

The horses have also caused problems, he said.

Another resident brought in llamas and sheep, he said.

Those areas “are zoned residential for a reason,” Frontino said.

Some people have dismissed complaints by saying, “They’re just chickens,” Frontino said.

But chickens get out and cause their own problems, he said.

“A few people — or a lot of people — just kind of ruin it for everybody,” he said.

He himself wouldn’t like it if his next-door neighbors started raising horses, chickens, pigs or cows, he said.

“It’s not 70 years ago,” Frontino said. “Life has changed. People have changed.”

Supervisor Patrick Jones sees it differently.

He’s lived in the township for 71 years, and has always been exposed to farm animals of one type or another, he said.

He doesn’t see that as a problem.

“Individual rights and privileges of living in the township have been curtailed,” Jones said. Before long, there won’t be much benefit to living outside the city, he said.

He’ll definitely oppose the amendment when it comes up for a vote, he said.

Joe Metzgar, the supervisor who was absent, declined to state his position on the matter.

“I would like to know what (Fisher) has to say,” he said.

Fisher asked the board whether he should expect a code officer to show up at his house.

He also asked what would happen if one did, and he refused to part with his chickens.

He could be cited, which could lead to a fine of perhaps $500, said solicitor Dan Stants.

“What if I don’t have $500?” Fisher asked.

There could be a judgment levied against his property that would generate a lien, according to Stants.

As though throwing out a challenge, Fisher told everyone his address.

“I appreciate your time,” he said, as he left the meeting. “But I totally disagree.”

Mirror Staff Writer William Kibler is at 814-949-7038.