Credit: Submitted
A Falls Township family will be able to keep their chickens following a decision by the Zoning Hearing Board Tuesday evening.
The zoners voted 4-1 to grant a variance that would allow Bill and Leslie May to keep their 24 chickens on their Fallsington property on Old Locust Avenue that is just under an acre. The variance for husbandry of chickens allows the Mays to raise up to 24 chickens and not have other farm animals. Any roosters must be culled or killed immediately.
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Tuesday’s decision came after media and neighborhood attention was raised when the May family went public when Falls cited the couple for violating their zoning ordinances. Falls does not allow the boarding, raising and practicing animal husbandry on their property.
The family told zoners the chicken coops on the property are about the size of a phone booth and cause no problems to neighbors. They also said about 10 other families in Fallsington’s historic district have chickens with no problems.
The Mays told LevittownNow.com in December that Bill’s family transferred ownership of the Fallsington property and 300-year-old house to him several years back after his mother suffered serious health challenges. They claimed at the time and at Tuesday’s meeting that the township told them they were violating rules by owning chickens.
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“Fallsington has always been different than the rest of the area. Everyone has chickens,” he said, noting his family has had chickens for years.
However in fall, the family received zoning violation notices and a court date.
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The May family explained that their goal is to be totally self-sufficient. They grow as much of their own fruits and vegetables as possible and use their chickens for eggs and meat. The lifestyle gives the Mays’ young kids a chance to learn about responsibility, compassion and learn where their food comes from.
Falls officials explained the confusing zoning regulations and those of the historic district. A 1976 zoning book indicated that there was to be no farm animals in a residential area, but Leslie pointed to a conflicting statement in the historic district ordinance.
A number of Falls and out-of-town residents spoke in support of the Mays Tuesday evening. There were no public comments against the family’s chickens.
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The family has gained support on social media following media coverage and an online petition that gained 1,650 signatures.
The Mays closest neighbor spoke before zoners and said she does not mind the chickens and have no issues with the family keeping them.
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Another neighbor explained she watches the chickens when the family goes away and that they cause no problems. She added that the chickens are the first stop when her grandkids come to visit.
“I am glad she has chickens … plus, I get free eggs,” she said.
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The family was victorious in the zoning hearing, but plans to continue the crusade for animal husbandry in the township, Leslie said. The couple plans to keep speaking at regular board meetings to change the rules of the entire township.
“I want to make sure the people of falls township that are practicing animal husbandry currently never have to go through an ordeal like this. It time Falls Township moves into the 21st century, the grass-roots movement has swept the nation and it’s time for our board of supervisors to change the laws on animal husbandry,” May said.
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