AlaskaDenise
In Memoriam
http://www.pennlive.com/news/expresstimes/pa/index.ssf?/base/news-7/115820679853780.xml&coll=2
Bethlehem shouldn't be a barnyard, says council committee. Chicken, horse ban plan.
Thursday, September 14, 2006 By MEGHAN SMITH
The Express-Times
BETHLEHEM | City Council's Community Development Committee advanced a proposed citywide ban on chickens, horses and other animals Wednesday, citing concerns for the public's health and quality of life.
Since January, Judy Maloney, director of the city's bureau of health, has spearheaded efforts to update its laws governing animals.
She told council members Wednesday that changing the law to bar residents from raising horses, llamas, alpacas and fowl within city limits would help reduce the threat of diseases such as avian flu, West Nile virus and eastern equine encephalitis.
Maloney said Allentown already has a ban in place, while Easton and Wilkes-Barre are considering similar measures.
There are currently four properties in the city permitted to raise fowl, with a fifth property's permit still pending, she said. If council adopts the changes, however, Maloney said those permits would not be eligible for renewal when they expire on Dec. 31.
Though officials pointed to numerous noise and property damage complaints from residents about roaming roosters and chickens, three of the four residents who spoke on the issue Wednesday told the committee the solution isn't newer, stricter laws to eliminate the animals -- it's stricter enforcement of the current laws to regulate them.
Jose Rodriguez told council he bought his 5.5-acre Center Street property in July with the expectation of raising horses and chickens on his expansive swatch of land.
He said he did his homework, checking to make sure those animals would be allowed under city law before closing the deal.
Rodriguez said there's no reason for the city to impose a blanket ban on fowl and horses, especially on homeowners who can ensure their neighbors wouldn't be disturbed by the animals.
He called on the city to take action on geese feces in public parks -- something he called a much larger public health issue than pets on private property.
"Before they worry about what I'm doing on my property, they should worry about their own," Rodriguez said of the health bureau.
Councilwoman Jean Belinski initially suggested tabling the proposal to find a way to address situations like Rodriguez's where there is an abundance of land to accommodate certain animals.
But Councilman Joseph Leeson Jr. cautioned the committee to "treat everyone equally," fearing an exception for larger landowners would unfairly discriminate against lower-income residents.
The matter will now go before the entire council for a vote at a future meeting.
Reporter Meghan Smith can be reached at 610-867-5000 or by e-mail at msmith@express-times.com.
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Bethlehem shouldn't be a barnyard, says council committee. Chicken, horse ban plan.
Thursday, September 14, 2006 By MEGHAN SMITH
The Express-Times
BETHLEHEM | City Council's Community Development Committee advanced a proposed citywide ban on chickens, horses and other animals Wednesday, citing concerns for the public's health and quality of life.
Since January, Judy Maloney, director of the city's bureau of health, has spearheaded efforts to update its laws governing animals.
She told council members Wednesday that changing the law to bar residents from raising horses, llamas, alpacas and fowl within city limits would help reduce the threat of diseases such as avian flu, West Nile virus and eastern equine encephalitis.
Maloney said Allentown already has a ban in place, while Easton and Wilkes-Barre are considering similar measures.
There are currently four properties in the city permitted to raise fowl, with a fifth property's permit still pending, she said. If council adopts the changes, however, Maloney said those permits would not be eligible for renewal when they expire on Dec. 31.
Though officials pointed to numerous noise and property damage complaints from residents about roaming roosters and chickens, three of the four residents who spoke on the issue Wednesday told the committee the solution isn't newer, stricter laws to eliminate the animals -- it's stricter enforcement of the current laws to regulate them.
Jose Rodriguez told council he bought his 5.5-acre Center Street property in July with the expectation of raising horses and chickens on his expansive swatch of land.
He said he did his homework, checking to make sure those animals would be allowed under city law before closing the deal.
Rodriguez said there's no reason for the city to impose a blanket ban on fowl and horses, especially on homeowners who can ensure their neighbors wouldn't be disturbed by the animals.
He called on the city to take action on geese feces in public parks -- something he called a much larger public health issue than pets on private property.
"Before they worry about what I'm doing on my property, they should worry about their own," Rodriguez said of the health bureau.
Councilwoman Jean Belinski initially suggested tabling the proposal to find a way to address situations like Rodriguez's where there is an abundance of land to accommodate certain animals.
But Councilman Joseph Leeson Jr. cautioned the committee to "treat everyone equally," fearing an exception for larger landowners would unfairly discriminate against lower-income residents.
The matter will now go before the entire council for a vote at a future meeting.
Reporter Meghan Smith can be reached at 610-867-5000 or by e-mail at msmith@express-times.com.
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