City considers farm animal rules again

FINDLAY — It has been over two years since city officials abandoned attempts to develop rules for keeping farm animals within Findlay's limits due to a public backlash. On Thursday, Findlay City Council's Planning and Zoning Committee began the discussion anew. The meeting was livestreamed on the city's YouTube channel: Findlay Ohio. Committee members include Dennis Hellmann, R-2, Dan DeArment, R-4, Jim Niemeyer, R-6, and Grant Russel, R-at-large, with Brian Bauman, R-5, chairman. In April 2023, a proposal to set standards and restrictions in the zoning code for keeping farm animals within city limits was pulled from consideration by the committee due to vocal public opposition. The city currently has no restrictions on the keeping of farm animals. Matt Cordonnier, director of the Hancock Regional Planning Commission, said residents will still be permitted to keep farm animals in the city, but with rules. Cordonnier said the proposed legislation would require proper care, shelter, and confinement for all animals. Animal numbers would be limited based on size and land area. On Thursday, Cordonnier said the following restrictions are being considered: • Small animals — chickens, ducks and rabbits would be limited to one animal for every 800 square feet of land, with a maximum of 24 animals. Roosters, geese and turkeys would be prohibited on lots smaller than one acre. • Mid-size animals — goats and sheep would require a minimum lot size of 2400 square feet, with up to 10 animals depending on the lot size. • Large animals — horses, cows and pigs would require a minimum lot size of 4400 square feet, with up to six animals allowed. Shelters would be required to be placed behind the home and at least five feet from the property line. Barns and stables would be required to meet the city's setback requirements. Slaughtering of small animals for personal consumption would be allowed, as long as it is kept from public view. There's no language restricting the sale of eggs. Waste would be required to be stored in a sealed container at least 50 feet from the property line, and 100 feet from wells and streams. Nuisance odors and runoff would be prohibited. Cordonnier said the new proposal would grandfather animals already kept in the city. Owners would need to register their animals with the city within 90 days of the effective date of the new zoning requirements. Once grandfathered, the property would maintain the grandfathered right to keep the animals, in the number first registered (if higher than the maximum allowed), in perpetuity. The grandfather clause would remain intact, even if the property is sold. New owners would have 12 months to restock or the right would be lost. Cordonnier said the grandfathering is an important part of the legislation for the sake of animal owners. Permitting would give city officials the right to inspect the property for compliance, including ensuring animal numbers are not beyond what is allowed by the zoning code or established in the grandfather clause. Cordonnier said the proposed legislation must still be reviewed by the city law director's office to determine penalties and fines for violating the rules, which could include forfeiture of animals. During Thursday's meeting, committee member Councilman Grant Russel, R-1, agreed that adding the grandfather clause is important. He said the legislation isn't meant to create a hardship for animal owners; it's meant to protect the property rights of their neighbors. Future committee discussions about the rules are expected to focus on possible fencing requirements. The committee plans to gather public feedback on the new proposal through an open house meeting on the topic and online. Information on both will be published by The Courier when made available.