Good evening everybody. It's seven o'clock and we are calling the Tuesday May 6th, 2025. Um, planning, board meeting to order. First on the agenda is public participation on any matter, not subject to a public hearing. Anybody have anything? Oh, come on in. Come on in. There We go. Uh, anybody have anything they wanna speak about that's not on, um, our agenda? Please come forward to the mic. Next on the agenda is review and approval. Uh, previous minutes. Uh, 4 15 25. Um,
I'll make a motion to approve the minutes from 4 25 Second. All those in favor? Aye. A Next on the agenda is public hearings. Okay. Um, as I do, um, every meeting I have a little blurb I have to read, I want to read. Um, next on the agenda is our public hearings. Today we have only, uh, zoning, special permanency, and or site plan approvals. After the applicants present, the proposal board members will begin asking their questions. We will then invite the public to ask questions of fact. We will have a separate time for the public
to speak in favor of or speak against the motions. When we recognize you, Please come to the microphone, give your name and address, and direct all questions and comments to the board, not the applicant. The purpose of our public hearings is to allow board members to collect evidence and testimony supporting or contradicting the published legal findings. We are required to make, um, to approve or deny an application. We cannot act outside the bounds of the zoning ordinances nor the storm wall ordinance where also sought.
Please understand public hearings are not a community referendum nor a town meeting. We ask you to keep your comments civil and positive remembering, we are all neighbors working to move Westfield forward. While you are free to express your opinion, ultimately and legally, the board can only deliberate on findings of fact not on yours or our personal opinions. First on the agenda is continuation. Community Action, pioneer Valley, Inc. For a site plan approval, stormwater permit, pur zoning ordinance four dash 1 4 6 dash 10
and four dash one 10 to develop an educational childcare facility at zero Southampton Road Parcel 63 R dash 16 Zone Business B and Water resource for this hearing, the chair recognizes, uh, Dylan Sweeney as a voting member for John Bowen. The chair recognizes Rich Sooy as the voting member for, uh, Cheryl Car Crowe. It's the applicant here. Hi. Good evening. I'm Mike Bowen. I'm from Arve Associates. I'm representing Community Action Pioneer Valley Incorporated, um, for their project at Zero South Hampton Road.
Um, so as a quick recap, this project is a he care facility, uh, with access off of Falcon Drive. And it has associated parking areas and storm water management features, um, along with a, um, backyard, uh, play area. Um, this is a continuation from the last meeting. At the last meeting, I believe it was Rob Beck and Cole Modesto, uh, presenting to you guys. Um, they, uh, went through the comments, um, and I don't believe there were further comments since that meeting and there have been no plan revisions.
Um, so if you guys have any questions, I'll be happy to answer that. So I think we were just waiting for the 35 days to elapse for the aquifer zone, which they have done. Which, which has lapsed. Yes. Okay. Anybody in the public have a question of fact? Anybody in the public want to speak in favor of or speak against the motion, please come forward. My name is Ralph Figgy. I'm the War II City counselor and speaking on behalf of the city council, uh, for myself, I thank this is a great opportunity to develop this area in a manner
that will not be a pollutant or a danger to the aquifer. I think that the need for childcare is, is ever growing and this is an opportunity to meet that with a state-of-the-art facility that I think Westfield is lucky to be able to have. Thank you. Any board members have any comments or questions? We have a draft decision. Um, I will go through our conditions. Site plan approval, storm water management permit, subject property zero Southampton Road at Falcon Drive. Special conditions. The board found valid cause
and authority pursuant to section three dash one seventy ten two and six dash ten two of the zoning ordinance to oppose the following conditions of this approval. One, the site shall be developed and maintained in accordance with the approved site plan and title. Um, and we have to fill in the sheets and the general compliance with submitted lighting plan sheet C four as repaired by, um, Again, we have to fill in, um, most, um, recently revised ten eight twenty four constructed in
general appearance, um, with the submitted building elevations plan revisions after expiration of the appeal period, a paper digital PDF copy of the site plan incorporating any modification to hearing conditions shall be submitted to the planning office prior to making application for the building permit or commencing the subject site construction. Two, no hazardous materials, chemicals, paints, coatings, pesticides, oils or fuels shall be stored or used on the premise except in customary or small quantities and only as warranted for normal maintenance activities.
No synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides shall be applied to the landscape three only nons salt. The icy materials shall be utilized, which shall be restricted to the minimum amount necessary with sand and ecologically and water quality compatible alternatives utilized. No a as such no salt zone signage shall be posted near the entrance to the site from November through April. Standard storm water permit conditions pre-construction. Um, we have, these are all standard, right? Jay?
Yes. Okay. Okay. Do we have everything we want on the plan folks? If we do, I'm looking for a motion to close public hearing. I'll make a motion to close the public hearing. I'll second All those in favor? Aye. Aye. Okay. Do I hear a motion on the, um, on the draft conditions? I'll make a motion for positive recommendation for zero South Hampton Road. Do I hear a Second? I'll second. So that means approval, correct? Yeah. Yeah. Alright.
Rich. Yes. Bernie? Yes. Ray? Yep. Yes. Sorry. Dylan? Yes. Uh, Phil? Yes. John? I'm, Uh Oh. John. John. I'm sorry. Jane. Yes. And I am a Yes. Okay. Thank you very much. Thank you. They were all that easy. You gotta tell him Yes. To stay for the end. It's your first day, right? First time in front of us. You have to stay. You have to stay to the end. You know that, right? They're always ending. Yeah. Right. Thank you guys. Next on the agenda is, Didn't know that
Petition of the city council to amend the zoning ordinance relative to keeping of animals, allowing backyard chickens by Right. Access to full petition at the CityVille City Hall for this hearing. Rich Deloy, Um, will be the voting member for Cheryl Crowe. Hi, anybody from the city council? Good evening. Ralph Fee. Ward II City Council. I come before you for a second time, a second attempt to get the chicken ordinance passed and implemented in the City of Western. I appreciate it All the time and effort that you guys provided for the last time. You gave us a unanimous, uh, uh, approval of the project.
Unfortunately, it timed out and we didn't get it done. So now we are back. We learned a lot in our first attempt at this and we've scaled it back dramatically compared to the first time. If you'll notice, this ordinance is just for chickens. It's not for horses, it's not for pheasants, it's not for rabbits. It's not for goats. So we, we scaled it back. We also put in some lot lines. Um, the, uh, coop needs to be, uh, permanent run area is at least 30 feet from the neighboring house, neighboring dwelling.
So 30 foot there and 10 feet from any lot line. So that's new. We didn't have both the last time either. Um, we're going to make sure that the keeper of the foul or the owner has registered with the animal control office. We should be afforded access to the property for inspection purposes. We're going to treat this like we would any barn barns need to be inspected once a year. So we're hoping that we're working with, uh, Margaret on that. The animal control officer, I spoke with her today, she definitely thinks you don't need five acres for six chickens.
So she is going to be, uh, involved in the nuts and bolts. If this gets passed, there'll be another ordinance that will be passed, not through you guys, but with the nuts and bolts, the registry, the fees, the fines, all that will come after this. Um, there's a limit of six chickens. Absolutely no roosters. There will be fines for roosters. I I, so I did watch the, the video with, uh, Mr. Morgan Alley and it was 5,000 square feet for
how many chickens and 20,000 square feet for how many Chickens? It was. It is right now. It's um, 5,000 square feet minimum for six. Six. Got it. And he had 12. I am I am in instead of neck. He's, he's working tonight. So, 'cause I did the first one, I thought it might stand in for him. And I think the other one was 20,000 square feet for up to 12. Up To 12. That's what I Thought. But I don't know those, those aren't hard fast numbers. Um, there's also been a lot of talk, uh, uh,
amongst the council about splitting up the BuyRight to a certain amount of square footage necessary for BuyRight. And anything under that would be by special permit at a reduced fee. Right. Um, so that's all stuff that's gonna be hashed out in committee, but it is a compromise. 'cause a lot of people are saying they need some input from public Okay. Before a permit can be offered. Okay. So that would be a compromise that I'm willing to make is that we'll cut it off at probably a third of an acre.
Anything above a third would be by Right. Anything under would be by special permit. Right. So we're not stacking 'em, we, we Don't wanna stack You wouldn't make the 30 feet anyways if You Yeah, well I, I think don't think they'd meet all the other requirements, but the big hang up on the council is the buy. Right. So this is an attempt on my part to kind of compromise and bring it down so that we could do Makes sense. Do something on that. Just one other, Ralph. Sure. With, uh, 'cause I did also watch the video and, uh, when they were talking about permitting or, uh, what was it like registering,
like you would a, a dog or a cat? Mm-hmm. Are they talking about the hen house itself instead of an animal? Yes. Right. That's okay. We're gonna, it's gonna be the site because the, the coop needs to be approved. Yeah, that makes sense. The run has to be approved and the storage of the food needs to be approved As well. So buy right after inspections and Approved. Right. Too easy, Clear. Uh, the other thing is that, again, content as those last time, there's no on onsite slaughtering. Okay. Uh, that won't be, unless you have five acres, then you can, you can do that.
Um, Couple couple other comments that came out of this. First part of the city council is that, uh, we did simplify the ordinance and we learned a lot from our first attempt. This will be under animal control. They would be the permitting and inspecting authority. Code enforcement will continue under the building department. Um, uh, the key key, one of the key elements in my mind is that there's no roosters. Roosters are what causes the trouble. They're the noise makers. They are the ones that'll get everybody going.
So if you don't have any roosters, people won't know you have seconds. Hens are very quiet. They have a very soothing clock. Uh, and they are very, uh, good for the environment. Um, six was the number because that's the smallest amount that you can buy. Um, if you could buy four, we might go with that. But you can't. You gotta buy six. Um, we have setbacks and we have, uh, that, and the animal control officer is on board, as I said before. So that's where we're at. So if you have any questions, I'd, I'll be happy
to continue to take those. Uh, one question I've got is, one of the latest ways of managing chickens is having a movable coop in house so that they can travel the yard, which means that they're gonna be very, very restricted, especially with that 30 foot setback. Now I can understand permanent section, permanent structures, 30 foot, but if they have a movable cooping yard, they should be able to go closer to the line because actually they're doing good for the property at that point.
They're fertilizing, they're cutting the grass, they're cleaning, getting the ticks and the bugs and, but they, they move the whole yard, the fenced in area and the coop and everything, it just moves around and the chickens go inside of it. So they're never out loose. But they're, they can cover a large area just by little 10 feet at a time. Yep. Use fresh. So I think fresh Feet, If I hear you correctly, we need some flexibility with the setback for the runs. It it does. I think the coup could be permanent, but the run could be what moves it. It does actually say any permanent run
areas are subject to the Restrictions. Okay. So you need to, you need to note that there's, that You do have those flexible ones too. Right. That can move. Uh, the other thing, and you and I have discussed this before on item three, I know you said this wasn't about goats and turkeys and horses, but I still object to that. Five acres for the horse in rural residential, nobody, nobody keeps a, nobody needs five acres to keep a horse these days 'cause they don't pasture. You need five acres to pasture a horse. But people own horses don't pasture.
They're in a pen, uh, run and they can run around and you know, you need a quarter of an acre maybe. So you rural lot, you can usually corner out a quarter of an acre for a horse to run around on. Let's, let's keep this. So I think let's keep this in the chickens rich. Hmm. Let's keep this to the chickens. Keep Well it's in here so I can rip for game. I like to see that change to one A And I think that there's a mechanism for you to pursue that you can apply for a zoning amendment and go through the process we're going through specifically for horses. Okay.
John, you had a question? Excuse me. I have two questions. Um, the application says that they want to allow backyard chickens buy, right. I think what you're proposing is buy right with a permit. Mm-hmm. That's, it doesn't say that. I'm just pointing it out. Okay. Um, and then my other question is, are you opening it up to the whole city or is there any restrictions as far as the court district or anything like that? We haven't talked about that, but my feeling is that, that chickens don't belong in the court district.
I agree. This is not key west. Um, so, And You probably, yeah. So that's my feeling on, on the core district. You probably wouldn't be able to meet that 30 foot setback anywhere in the core district anyway. Correct. That would make sure that that didn't happen if we put that in. Thank you sir. Would you be objective to, um, would you object to that, uh, condition put on Not in the court district. Not at all. Okay. I think it's a good one. Any other questions? Anybody?
Yeah. One, one more, one question. Um, the last chicken ordinance, I don't know, I think it's been around 10 years maybe. And I think possibly three people came in with an application. Um, and I can understand why it was, uh, you know, an expensive, humiliating experience to come in and get a chicken coop. Um, but this here is, um, you know, much easier to do. And you're suggesting that they get a permit
before they do it, but there's no consequences if they don't. So why would they do it There in the second stage? There will be penalties for those who did not. Okay. So we, we thought of that. And you're absolutely right. Why would you go in and pay a $50 fee if that's the fee Right. When you could just do it for free until your neighbor's complaint? Yeah. No, it's, it will have that will be addressed in the second stage. Yeah. I, I recently, I know a couple months ago I renewed a dog license and it was $15 to renew it and 50 if I didn't.
So that, that was my motivation to do it. Yeah. And I think we'll look something along those lines as well. Mm-hmm. Okay. But that, that comes after getting this approved. Alright. Correct Judge. Second Step. Yeah. The specifics of, uh, how the, how it's administered, that's more like in the general animal ordinances. Like, but where your licensed dogs, all those requirements are not in zoning. Okay. So this is kind of bigger picture stuff. Mm-hmm. And I
was, you don't, it isn't that you need a permit per se, you just need to register them. So Anybody in the public have a question of question. The fact, please raise your hand. Please come forward. Okay. Alright. Good Job. Yes, please come forward. Yay. Saved by the bell Jane Oxon 3 41 Steiger Drive. My question is more on where is the waste going? Um, presently it cannot go in the trash cans. That's only for cat and dog can go in the trash cans. So it assumes you're gonna compost on these
small little lots. Um, ordinance section four dash one 20. You're prohibited from putting any waste in any manner on your property that will attract insects, rodents, or create any health hazard. And number 11 in that ordinance says all waste that you do dump outside of the building shall be completely enclosed in a container. 'cause it pertains to the hazardous waste and fuel storage ordinance. So my question is, where is the waste going? Will it be along my property line?
Because I know neighbors will just keep on piling it, piling it, piling it till it goes right over onto my property. So that's my question. Good questions. Um, if composted properly, you'll never know that there's chickens in a yard. Uh, chickens will make less waste than a dog. Um, six chickens will make less waste than a large dog. Um, I was not aware that you couldn't put the waste, and that's good information. So I thank you for that. And the trash why you can put dog and cat fe in the trash, but not a chicken. It's, I don't know the difference, but the ammonia
and nitrogen content of bird manure is so much higher than any others that it's the perfect compost. It will increase the nutrients in your soil. It'll keep the microbes and the worms going. Uh, it is the perfect use for compost. So that would be my hope. And then we'd have to address it. I'd like that ordinance number later. Thank you. I think I would interpret that ordinance as, as trash waste, uh, because your trash will attract, uh, uh, bugs
and garments as well. And we, we end up putting it in that barrel and having it removed, uh, just as we would dog or cat feces. So I would interpret that myself as waste IE anything that's spoiled that came out of the grocery store or anywhere else. Yeah. Um, that's just me. And we, we do want the, the feed secure and safe so that doesn't attract rodents. And you also have to be careful of natural predators. Absolutely. Uh, so all that is part of being a good steward to the chickens.
Any other questions? Anybody want to speak in favor of or speak against? Please raise your hand, please come forward. Hello everyone. Uh, my name is Kaitlyn Grennan. I am on Linda Drive in, um, Westfield. Thank you for the opportunity to speak today. I am a proud resident of Westfield, a dedicated homeschooling mother and an advocate for sustainable community oriented living. I'm here to respectfully request your support in amending our city zoning regulations to allow responsible ownership of backyard chickens within our city limits. As a homeschooling parent, our home serves multiple roles.
It's our classroom, our science lab, our garden, our connection to the natural world. Raising chickens is not about obtain just about obtaining fresh eggs. It is an invaluable educational experience. It offers real life lessons in biology, ecology, agriculture and responsibility. Chickens teach our children about the origins of food, the care of living beings, and the principles of environmental steward stewardship. But this issue extends beyond homeschooling. It's about community resilience, sustainability, and food security. More than 13 million Americans now raise backyard chickens
according to the 21 20 21 study by the American Pet Products Association. Locally towns such as North Hampton, Amherst, east Hampton, Chicopee, Agawam, and Moore have already taken steps to permit backyard poultry in a safe regulated way. These are our neighbors towns with similar demographics, climates and concerns. In contrast, Westfield's current ordinance restricts chicken keeping two properties with a minimum of five acres, effectively excluding the vast majority of residents. Um, so we're asking for that to change. Um, one thing I did want to mention, I,
I wrote this whole speech and it felt really good, but now that I'm lifting to you all, you all seem kind of on board. Um, something that I'm noticing is that a lot of, I think people that are against backyard chickens are people who keep very well manicured lawns and they use pesticides and herbicides and things to keep their place looking clean. And I think they're against having a more organic, um, culture. And I think that as much as I would never, um, put chemicals on my lawn, they're free to do what they would like. And I would make sure that if I chose
to have backyard chickens, I would never let it affect my neighbors. An example without making sure I'm using lime and, um, sand in my coop and making sure there's no roosters. And so I think that I feel like this is an individual choice and I think that the people who don't have them or don't want them shouldn't get them. And the people who do, I think that five acres is just kind of a pipe dream at this point. It's, if I could have that, I would in a heartbeat. It's just not really, it's not really, um, a given in today's world anymore with the housing market. Um, so I know that there's a lot of concerns about noise,
odor, and cleanliness, but hens are quiet. It's the roosters that crow chickens produce less waste than other pets in their manure when composted properly as a natural fertilizer. Um, modern chicken coop are compact, clean and aesthetically designed to blend into backyard spaces. It helps with food security, waste reduction. And um, this is just kind of a modest request to, we seek the ability to live more harmoniously with the land, to educate our children about life's fundamental processes and to contribute to a culture of sustainability that benefits our entire community.
Zoning laws should protect the character and wellbeing of the community, but they must also evolve. Families like mine are asking for an opportunity to live responsibly, to care for a small flock of hens, and to steward our little piece of world in a way that's meaningful and mindful. Please consider revisiting Westfield's current restrictions and let us join the many towns around us that understand that well regulated backyard chickens are not a nuisance. They're an an asset. Thank you for your time, your consideration, and your service to our city. Thank You. Um, I think that you guys all had really good points.
I think there are people very hesitant on the city council, so if there are ways to adjust, um, the proposed ordinance, I would love to advocate and be a part of anything if there are specific concerns. I've, I've done a lot of research and I'm very educated on it, so I'm happy to help in any way that I can. So thank you. So can you answer the question about what to do with chicken Yes. Poop if you do not compost? Absolutely. So it is really interesting to me that, um, dog poop produ, like one dog produces way more waste in one year than 10 chickens would.
Um, their poop is this big and it can be composted like many have said into like the most nutritious soil. Um, so you can even buy chicken poop fertilizer. Um, so what I would recommend in a situation like that, it's, it's, you can put your, or that's what people do is they put their dog poop and then their cat poop into the trash. Um, I don't think that would be an issue with the chickens. I think that people would use a compost bin and you would put it in there along with food scraps, um, or anything else. And it would like continually move into creating, um, soil.
Some people sell the soil or some people just use it in their gardens. Um, some people take the chicken poop and actually apply it directly to the garden. Um, but it is more beneficial to let it process over time and become, um, better for the soil. So I think that you guys have an opportunity right now. I mean, um, someone today actually, I called all of the counselors today and one of them said to me that, um, laws are always fair. And I completely agree and, but I think we have such an opportunity right now to make this one more fair for so many people.
Um, I've even considered moving to a place that allows them 'cause so many around do, but that is just not, um, something that is, you know, as applicable to my life right now. And I think that five acres isn't either. So I think we can really make a change and make it worth it for everyone. You can put stuff in about what to do with the feces. You could say that you must compost or you must dispose of it this way. There's so much wording you guys can work into it since it's still open. I feel like that's one of the benefits now is that if you do have concerns, we could kind of make this work for everybody.
Um, a little give and take. Thank you. Yes. Thank you so much. Anybody else wanna speak in favor of speak against please come forward. Uh, good evening. Ben Chu 19 Dale Street. Um, so I'm here today to speak in strong support of the proposed ordinance to legalize and regulate backyard hens in our city. I've lived in Westfield for my whole life. I raised chickens for nearly a decade and it was more than just a hobby. I believed it shaped, I believe it shaped who I am. It taught me responsibility, patience, respect for nature, problem solving, work ethic, empathy, and many more valuable lessons. But like many other Westfield residents,
my flock was eventually taken away not because it posed a health or safety risk, but because of outdated zoning rules that don't reflect today's realities. Right now you need a minimum of five acres and rural residential zoning to legally keep chickens. That eliminates over 95% of households in the Westfield. Um, the proposed ordinance would change that reasonably and responsibly. Let me be clear, this ordinance is not a free for all using city data. And GIS tools have calculated that fewer than 30% of residential parcels in Westfield would even qualify under the new rules.
Um, you can refer to the shared documents to see how I reached this calculation, but smaller downtown lots would still be ineligible due to the natural limitations of the ordinance between lot size setbacks and registration requirements. This is a well-balanced change. The space required for a coop housing, housing six hens is minimal. Most experts recommend just 1.5 to three square feet per bird inside the coop. Um, that means a simple four by four foot structure is more than adequate. Uh, eight square feet per hen is recommended for the run area. So a four by four coop
with an attached run takes up less than half the space of a single parking spot. Cleaning it up takes minutes and actually properly composted chicken waste is highly valuable. Uh, according to McMurray hatchery, a single 40 pound dog creates more solid waste than 10 chickens. And the US Environmental Protection Agency classifies dog waste as a pollutant and it is known to contaminate water waste, which is not associated with the chickens. Uh, concerns about noise, odor and clean cleanliness are mitigated by the proposed limitations. It's important to make the distinction that roosters would not be allowed under the new ordinance. Um, so hands are very quiet, especially compared
to the roosters where dogs the loudest noise a hand makes briefly is equivalent to a a human conversation in decibels, hands are less disruptive than any other well than other common household pets and odor and rodents can be easily controlled with routine maintenance and secure feed storage, which is required under the new ordinance. Um, and a common misconception is that chickens de attract rodents, which is actually not true 'cause the multiple sources explained that rodents can be attracted to chicken food but not the chickens themselves. So with the, the requirement of secure feed storage, rodent issues would be rare or even unheard of because six
or even 12 hands are so manageable. Cleaning the coop is easy and rewarding. Combined with common bedding like pine shavings or straw, it becomes a rich highly sought after fertilizer. Additionally, a 10 foot setback from property line and 30 foot setback from all neighboring structures ensures that odor would not be a problem. And something worth noting is that many people are, are already keeping chickens illegally. In Westfield, a 2025 report indicates that around 12 to 13 million US households now keep backyard chickens, which is a 28% increase since 2023. This surge is attributed to factors like raising,
raising egg prices or rising egg prices, and a growing interest in urban farming. Statistics also show that out of the most, one out of the 150 most populated cities in the us 93% allow poultry flocks in some capacity. Westfield prides prides itself on its agricultural roots. Cities far denser than ours like Boston Springfield, or even New York City allow backyard Hess. It's time we join them in embracing the simple, sustainable and impactful way of living. The proposed ordinance allows the city to provide oversight, improve animal welfare, and ensure residents meet
health and safety standards. It include includes safeguards like no roosters, limits on flock size, distance from neighboring dwelling structure, structures and property lines, and mandatory registration and inspection by the animal control. Um, this ordinance is not about chicken staking over Westfield. It's about giving residents the freedom to responsibly use their property, teach the kids where food comes from and live a bit more sustainably. Hands off for educational benefits for families, promote local food sustainability, reduce waste by consuming kit kitchen scraps, and eliminate pests like ticks and bugs. So on behalf of those of us here that came in support
of the ordinance, we want to thank you for your time and ask that you make the right decision and vote to establish the ordinance. Um, by supporting the ordinance, you'll make a meaningful change that will help shape a more sustainable and equitable community. Thank you. Thank you. My name is Monica Melchione. I am obviously, um, for the chickens. Um, I really liked the proposal that was proposed this time. Um, last time it seemed like there was a lot of information in it. Um, I am for this and one big thing that's happening, I don't know if any of you non chicken people realize this,
but um, tractor Supply is selling outta chickens within an hour. Um, normally you could buy 'em for 25 cents on a Sunday 'cause they're not sold out. You can go to any tractor supply by eight 30 in the morning and they are completely sold out and they are all straight runs. 'cause I've been checking. So I think it would be a good idea that we get, um, some ordinances underway because people have them, they're there, they're out there. I haven't been able to get a single chicken yet and I don't work and I go to Tractor Supply every single day. So someone's getting them. Um, and being straight run.
I don't think a lot of new chicken people realize that straight run means more than likely roosters. Um, so there is gonna be a problem if people, um, don't have ordinances. So I think it would be best to give ordinances. I also want to offer my services. I know roosters are everyone's complaints and I do go to the auction twice a month, so I would be more than willing to take in any rooster, um, and bring them to auction. Um, so that way the city doesn't have a an issue with that. Thanks.
Thank you. Anybody else speak in favor of speak against please come forward. Jane Oxen 3 41 Stagger Drive. Just wanna point out I'm against, uh, EPA says a chicken is a farm animal. It is not a pet. It does require five acres, but you know, we've reduced that down to two acres. Um, wanna point out that the CDC recommends that no children under the age of five should ever handle a chicken due to the diseases that the bird carries. Uh, believe we're trying to do this for a few homeowners
that do want to, um, save a little money on purchasing eggs. Uh, I do see it that there's a difference between an application and a permit. An application usually is free to register your chickens and some of you are saying permit, that means applying and probably paying a processing fee. They're trying to do it to save the people a few dollars on eggs. Uh, I don't see any benefit to all the rest of the neighborhood and I can see increase in our taxes because we're gonna need health department inspectors.
We're gonna need animal control officers and taking in all these applications and permits and inspections, it's gonna raise our taxes. So just looking out for the rest of the residents. Thank you. Excuse me. The ordinance you spoke about four dash 1 24 Dash one 20 prohibited uses. Okay. What section? I didn't write that down. Okay. I did find, you know, when I was trying to look for composting under Westfield, I found section 10 and Section 11 under those, um,
I did find another thing and I think it was under the planning department and it said you can compost if you use the scientific method. Couldn't find that actually today. Okay. A scientific method of composting is allowed. Thank you. Anybody else speak in favor of Speak Against please come forward. Okay. Can I just, uh, make a couple comments? So I think Councilor Fige kind of alluded to possibly some changes to the lot size numbers.
Um, I mean, personally I don't think it's a concern of how big your lot is, but how far away you are from your neighbor's. Um, 'cause a chicken coop, I mean the run probably takes up the space of a tool shed, which can I'm sure fit easily on most lots. But if you have to be 30 feet from your neighbor's house, that may limit more than the lot size of your particular property. Um, and I just, I just looked up Councillor FI's lot size, so you're about 8,000 square feet, so you could,
I'm sure you'd think you could easily fit a chicken coop there. Um, and the other issue was possibly making it a special permit instead of buy. Right? Right now that's already a special permit if you have less than five acres and you're out in the rural, rural area. And um, one of the concerns with that is just the cost of a special permit. And even if we were to eliminate the city filing fee, which is $200 for the planning board, if, if we eliminate that, there's still a cost associated with a legal ad recording at the registry of deeds, uh, city clerk certification and an abuts list,
and that all would add up to about $300. That's what the zero filing fee. So that's kind of steep if you're looking at, um, establishing chickens. So just something to be aware of if, if you're considering the special permit provision. What about the, uh, the two family homes and the duplex? I know Justin mentioned that in one of his notes. Are we, we we pushing to have, have that approved as well? Is that, is that part of it? Right. So, um, yeah, there are a couple comments on your,
I think Ben's and Justin's are on your share drive. Um, so as it's drafted now, it's for only single and two family uses. And so a two family could have six, not 12 because there's two families. So it'd be for a lot, I mean, often it's owner occupied, so the owner would decide whether it's allowable or not. And I'm sure it all The property could probably control that, correct? I mean, if they're renting it out, Leasing it, yeah, I'm sure it'd be part of the, uh, lease whether it's allowed or not, if, if, if the owner didn't live there. But, um, you know,
we're not looking at like apartment buildings or anything like that. It's just more or less, more or less intended for owner occu or homeowner type of things. I will say when we did the A DU changes, it kind of changed the definition of what a single family is. So probably when this goes to committee we'd probably wanna specify it's single and two families exclusively in residential use. But that's Just Some clarification. Any other questions, comments? I kind of have one more question. Yeah, please come forward. Um, one of, One of my concerns is that I think that a lot of people
who are, I would say against chickens, um, don't always come from the most educated standpoint. I think that it's a lot of times maybe they're associating it to when they were younger, they lived near a farm and the farm smelled from cow manure and all that. So I, my only concern with, I think the special permit would be if it would be left up to a neighbor who wouldn't actually be affected by it, but might just have that opinion and then that person could then be denied after going through, I guess the process of a special permit
and through all of the expenses and, um, investing in the coop and investing in doing everything the right way. My concern would be that then it would be up to one neighbor or something like that if you have to reach out to the neighbors individually. So I think it would be, um, I think there it is there another way that this could be done where like you're by, right, if you're above say 15,000 square feet or whatever, you choose for a lot size and then make kind of amendments based on what everybody's comfortable with with the land so
that it can be kind of across the board when you're above a certain lot size so that a neighbor can't just go and say because they disagree with you. That, that, so like, um, changing it so that it wouldn't be up to one specific person who may not be as educated on it. Um, getting everybody on the same page, I guess as far as like what, um, the footage or the setback or all of that. Um, so that would be up to you guys versus I guess the, the public who may have a different opinion, if that makes sense. Um, Thank you Jay,
How would registration work if we did registration instead of a special permit? Well, I mean, it says as it's proposed, it's registration. So it would be notifying the animal control officer, Hey, I'm at such and such address and I'm keeping six chickens, And they set up the inspections From there and they, well, I mean, we're not gonna micromanage how they do it, whether they collect a $10 fee or how often they want inspect that, you know, it just, the ordinance would just require that there's this list kept by them for all the chickens and how that's managed.
You know, that either comes out of the general animal control ordinance later or it's just left up to animal control to, Wouldn't it be much more if they go to animal control for the permit for the coop they're considering on putting together before they build a coop and then go for the permit? Y Yeah. Well, I mean, it's by, right? So it's not like they can say no. I mean if it, if it doesn't meet for 30 feet or it doesn't comply with zoning, then that's an enforcement issue. But if, if all things are work out, it's just a matter of
basically alerting them. It's like getting a dog license. You can't deny you your dog dog license. It's the same type of thing. It's just basically maintaining a database. Well, as long as there's no chicken kennels, I guess we'll be alright. I mean, probably any issues are gonna be complaint driven as they currently are. Jay, how many rabbits am I allowed to keep in my backyard? Uh, per ordinance? None. None? No. Right now you can have a dog or a cat. Is there any limitation on the breed? A dog? Not that I'm aware of. So I can't keep
homing pigeons in my backyard. I'm sorry, What? Homing pigeons Not by strict breed of the ordinance. Okay. You can keep a dog or cat or any customary indoor pet fish or parakeet or whatever. Any other questions, comments? So we are to give a recommendation to the city council, um, councilor Figgy. Yes. You said you have no issues with, um, restriction on the court district? No. Okay. I have no concerns about that. And did I hear you correctly when you said you are, um,
working on a buy right. Versus a non buy? Right. That's something that's being Discussed. Okay. So Ralph, I see a lot of suggestions on the board there. What's our recommendation based on, I mean, in theory I'm on board with it, you know, there's a whole bunch of those details, But yeah, that's, that's the draft proposal. So that's the draft ordinance. So that's what we're proposing. Yeah. That came out of a discussion between Councilor Morgan and myself and Jay. Okay. And that's what we came, we called all that out of our first attempt.
Do We public hearing or is it public closing a public hearing yet? No, I'm not. Yeah. We're public hearing still open? Um, Are you gonna mention that? So if you look up on the internet, what towns, um, in Massachusetts allow chickens? Pretty much everybody does. I, I find four of them that do not Fitchburg, Holyoke, Lowell, Milford, Westfield, But pretty much every other town does, including Boston, Cambridge by, uh, special permission
and most of the, um, um, inner, I mean most of the towns eat inside the 4 95 beltway as well. Um, I, again, after seeing this, uh, council Figi, I, I give you, I commend you on the changes you've made, So thank you. Thank you. It was a team, it was a group effort, but I think we did learn a lot by going through the first time. I think this is a much more improved ordinance than the original, so thank you. Good. So looking for a motion
to close the public hearing. I'll make a motion to close the public hearing. I'll second. All those in favor? Aye. Aye. Looking for a recommendation, city council. I'll make a positive recommendation for city council. Do you want to include or not include no court district? What's the question? Do you want, do we wanna include positive recommendation? No chickens allowed in the court district or positive recommendation? Blanket? I, I want to make a positive recommendation. Uh, as it's written, there's a 30 foot from a, a residence and a 10 foot from a property line.
So if you can, if you have that property in the course court district, it should make you no different than anybody else. Okay. That's me. Fair Enough? Do I hear a second? Second. Okay, we'll start again. Rich. Yes. Jane? Yes. John? Yes. Phil? Yes. Ray? Yes. Kearney? Yes. And IMES. Okay. Thank you very much.
Thank you. Okay. Okay, before we continue, I do have to ask, we have an awful lot of young people here. This is very unusual for a planning board meeting. Where are you all from? Thank, they're out there to support the chicken. Yes. Are you, are you students like high school students, college students? A little bit of both. A little bit of everything. Okay. Well, as young people thank you for your participation. Appreciate it. Really do appreciate it. Yeah. Ralph, you better watch out. He might have your job before you. I'll tell you. Sign him up for some commissioner.
You guys should come to more of our meetings next on the agenda. New Life Worship Center of Westfield for a special permit per zoning ordinance Section eight. Um, section eight, 10.21 C to allow an intermittent electronic sign at one 18 Metal Street Zone business. A again, for this hearing, um, the chair recognizes Rich Deloy for Cheryl Carro. Okay. I'm, uh, pastor Gene Pelke new Life Worship Center. Um, I live at seventh Holland Avenue. Uh, the church is at one 18 Meadow Street.
And, uh, we're proposing to replace our sign, um, with a, uh, same size sign, but a portion of it will be electronic, uh, digital for easier, um, displaying of our, um, events and Whatnot. I dunno if you have a photo of the new sign or the old sign. Oh, yes, there it's, yeah. Um, so that, that is the exact sign of the sign that we have now, but, uh, the top part of it is New Life worship center
and then the majority of the sign, uh, we have to physically go out there and pull the face off of it and change the letters. So the electronic sign, um, is gonna make it, uh, less labor. That's pretty much about it. So I have to ask, um, currently we're pretty much okay with illuminated signs. The issue that we've had historically is we don't want to have, uh, it can be illuminated but not animated. So it's not continuous motion. Mm-hmm.
As long as it's, you know, a fixed picture image for 10 seconds and then it goes to another fixed image. I don't wanna speak for everybody, but historically we, we passed those with no problem. Okay. So that's, so if you're not looking for animation, I don't see any problem. No, I'm with John. No, that's pretty much what it will be. Alright. That's a easy one. Is that this is our sign guy, so he knows more about it than I do, but I think we've met him before. Good Evening, Everybody. My name is Gabriel from GG Science. And the recommendation of the, of the digital sign is
because, uh, with this sign we can, we can make, we can set a, a good sign, we can set up properly and we can set up very less, less bright at nighttime and bright at during the day so they don't cause any visual contamination to, to the neighborhood. And also that allow, allow, allow the church to make the changes and announce to the community all the sellers that they got. They do without making nothing, uh, flashing. That can be the, the principal problem that you're talking about.
Mm-hmm. Making every, everything with nice colors or, or use very properly, but make making every, everything, everything with all the regulation that you required. Other questions or comments? Go ahead. We will, let's give them a minute to clear Any other questions or comments? That's pretty straightforward. Pretty straightforward. So I just, just, we spoke earlier and I thought you had, were, had some interest in having it scrolling, like, well, I don't know if I'm using the right term, but I mean, um, you know, said, explain, explain, explain how you envisioned it.
Well, I mean, it's, um, let's say, I'm trying to think of some of the events we have, like, um, Maybe I can help you. You don't want to have it say mass at 10 30 and going, or like a moving message. We, we don't want that. Okay. So we wanna have a fixed message. So if it says mass at 10 30 For 10 seconds, For 10 seconds, then Then it says something else. Free coffee afterwards. Okay. That, that's about it. Yeah. It won't be like a, I said scrolling, but you know, it's, it can, we can have it changing scrolling.
You don't have to have it changing. I know John mentioned 10 seconds, but if you want it on there permanently, you know, for two minutes. So just, it can't, it can't change within 10 seconds is what, Okay. So yeah, that's been, I understand that's been the board's, board's policy. Yeah. Um, that's not in the ordinance, but typically you've said 10 seconds minimum message changing, sort of like a PowerPoint message. Right. Something like that. Right? Sure. Um, but I think this is a relatively small sign, so there's not a lot of space on it.
So that's, I I had thought we had talked about some interest in, in scrolling, but just to be clear, if you're okay with this, the static message changing every 10 seconds, that's typically what the board is okay with. Okay. Yeah, that's, that's exactly what we're looking for. A static changing message. Yes. Okay. Yeah. Anybody in the public have a question of fact? Anybody in the public wanna speak in favor of or speak against? That's my wife back there. Is she gonna speak in favor of or against? Right. Better be in favor of,
Uh, we do have a draft decision, special permit, intermittent electronic sign, subject property one 18 Meadow Street. The subject is approved to allow an eight square feet, an eight square foot per side digital message sign as part of the replacement of an existing ground sign. As depicted in the sketch imaging ac accompanying the application, two different static messages may be displayed, provided none is displayed for less than 10 seconds and there is no scrolling, flashing or animation. Three, the illumination level shall be dimmed
during evening hours as commensurate with diminishing daylight. Four special permit is issued through New Life Worship Center of Westfield and shall lapse upon its use or substantially similar. Use ceasing to operate at the property. Five payment of the application filing fee of $375 must be made. Right. I I gave you a check, didn't I? I didn't give you the check. I thought I did. Okay. Okay. I'll have, do you want me to give that to you tonight? As long as long As you have it tonight, we can take it off that condition we have. Yeah, we can check that off. Sure. We can get it checked.
So we can just say if, if we get the fee within the next few days, we'll we'll take off that condition. Okay. Yeah, she's making it out. Okay. So yeah, I'll Give it to you. Do I, um, hear a motion to close? Uh, we, uh, close public hearing make a motion. Go ahead John. I'll make a motion to close public hearing A All those in favor? Aye. Do I hear a motion on the sign for the, um, draft decision? Special, permanent intermittent sign? I'll make a motion to approve the special permit electronic sign. One 18 Meadow Street.
Second. Okay. Jane? Yes. Ray? Yes. Um, Bernie? Yes. Rich? Yes. Phil? Yes. John? Yes. And I? Me? Yes. I think We're done Next. Thank you so much. Okay. Uh, thank you very much. Uh, next on the, that closes our public hearings. Next on the agenda is, uh, review of plans not requiring, um, approval under subdivision control law.
We have one zero and 2 0 2 Honey Pot Road. Hello. Here representing Hilltown Land Surveys. And it's just a a and r plan to providing out two of the lots. Commonwealth's gonna buy that they already, they already have conservation easement on And That they're gonna, uh, buy up two of the lots. Of course A and BI don't know if you have a PDF of it, but, Um, Yeah. Yeah. It's pretty straightforward. Yeah. As far as a R go, um, splitting up a couple big lots. So The state's buying this to, to tie in with their
Other people. Mm-hmm. Yeah. Okay. So The conservation thing will all stay in place. Yeah. That can't change. That's kind of fixed, so. Alright. Um, It's not, that's kind of outside the a and r purview. Yeah. And I will say after 15 years of never having an applicant here for the a and r is when we dec decide, decided to move it from the beginning of the meeting to later. Yeah. Right now we have one. Yeah. It's been that long. I don't, yeah, we don't usually have, uh, we usually just look at the plans. Questions? Comments. None. By your motion. I move.
We approve the a and r as submitted for Ronnie Pond Road. Second. All those in favor? Aye. Aye. Aye. Anybody opposed? Sorry for making you wait so long. No problem. I, I wish I had known we would've, we would've altered the agenda. I got a lot of chicken talk in. So Where Else could you get I have four pigs on three acres where I live, so this is, yeah, no brainer else. You could Just get entertainment for nothing. Yeah. Yeah. Um, do I have
to pick up the sign plan at the later date? Uh, if you wanna stick around, you can get it at the end of the meeting or later. That's Fine. I'll pick it up. Okay. Thank you all. Thank you. Okay, next on the agenda. Yeah. Other business. Nathaniel Hill Subdivision Off Valley Drive. Um, 66 R dash four and five endorsement of Definitive Plans. So we've already approved this, uh, as you know, um, and before you endorse the plans, you're supposed to get a performance guarantee. In this case, there's a covenant
that's on your sheriff file, um, not to sell the lots or build on the lots till the roads are in place. Um, municipal lien certificates showing no money owed, that's on your share drive plan changes. There weren't any. And then easement documents, um, of gone back and forth with the law department. The comments are on the share drive as well as the revised, uh, easements revised per those comments. I didn't get a follow up response from the law department. Um, but if you're okay with that, um, I
Don't See any reason why you couldn't endorse and technically the regulations say the easements are supposed to be executed before endorsement. I don't think we've ever done that. Seems a little odd, But Jay, what are we actually looking for here? Just approval. Yeah, we, it'd be a, if you're okay with, um, what's proven provided there'd be a, I guess a motion to endorse the plans. Uh, I'm reading this. I don't see why we wouldn't do this. Am I missing something? No, the only thing is we didn't get a kind of final response from the law department.
Um, but again, there'll be a covenant in place, so we'll still have leverage to Okay. Before anything kind of materializes. Okay. Looking for a motion, then we want to approve this or not. I'll make a motion to approve the endorsement of, uh, Nathaniel Hill Subdivision. Second, Do we need a roll call? All those in favor? Aye. Aye. Aye. Anybody opposed? Okay. Approved. Next on the agenda, comments to energy facilities citing board re madero way batteries. Energy storage.
So maybe this isn't a relevant item anymore since the apparent withdrawal of the project, but, um, we had talked about adding it last time, so I, I do want to commend, uh, the, the city, the public, everybody who stepped forward to advocate against, um, Jupiter Power at that location. Um, and, and, and I state that specifically that way for intentionally. Um, I, I think for a change.
Not for a change, but I think the power of the people did speak and it was nice to see. So I give the city credit, I really do. All those who advocated, they had signs in their yard, they did their homework. It was nice to, so, And I will add, there's still a motion in city council committee to, um, about a zoning regulation for this type of use, which can maybe be addressed now without the pressure of, of project looming, but, um, hopefully will get some regulations in place ahead
of any future proposals. I I, I just wanna add one other comment. I wanna give props to our planning board. I wanna make sure everybody in the public hears this. Uh, we were at that public meeting at, um, the new Franklin Avenue School, um, you know, and we were there in mass and, and that was a really good thing for our board as well. So I give props to everybody for taking time out of their day to get there. So, all right. Do you have anything else you want to talk about? What? Do we need four signatures here? Yeah, we need at least four members.
Okay. On The, Do all four, do four members have to sign all of them or can any Every member, each. We have to need four volunteers to sign all of them. Or can we all sign Different head? Yeah. I mean, I guess technically you only need four on any one sheet, but usually it's the same. Okay. Sign. Think Dylan should sign 'em all. Alright. And I'm exercising my powers as chair to call these meeting closed. All right. I second that motion.
You don't have to, He had an executive order. You got it? I think he just, uh, did you make a motion? I don't have to. He declared it done. I declared it closed. Bernie Declare.