Planning commission approves backyard chicken permit at North Mechanicsburg property

The Henry County Planning Commission approved a permit for backyard poultry at 8672 North Mechanicsburg after finding the application met applicable code criteria and receiving no objections. Applicants Jeanette Cole and Jody Cole attended the hearing and described outreach to adjacent property owners.

The permit was presented as a ministerial permitting action under the county’s new code. Tom, a planning staff member, told the commission that applicants “have reviewed all the criteria for the setback ... how they take care of, refuse, feed everything that they need to do, in order to get the permit issued.” He said neighboring parcels within the notification distance were contacted and that the office had received one letter of support and no letters of opposition.

Jeanette Cole said the applicants had spoken with neighbors before applying: “We did talk to all of our neighbors prior to even starting this process and got their approval before we even started that, so we didn't think we'd have any issues with it.” In response to a question about bird types, Jody Cole said, “I'm gonna have Rhode Island reds, Rhode Island blues, and Plymouth Rock.” When asked whether they would keep roosters, Jody Cole replied, “Nope. We're not allowed to.”

Commissioners discussed the permitting standard, with staff noting that if an application meets the checklist and there are no objections the permit is issued automatically. The commission moved and approved the permit by voice vote; all present said “aye.”

The applicants said they do not plan to sell eggs from the flock and that eggs will be shared with neighbors. The planning office will issue the permit and follow its normal permitting procedures for documentation and issuance the following day.