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Board limits animals at two adjacent Garden Street lots after neighbor complaints
Summary
The Montgomery City board approved limits on chickens and goats at 49 and 51 Garden Street after neighbors complained of animals roaming and property damage; the board set limits at three chickens per lot, two goats per lot, and required a coop on each lot that meets city code.
The Montgomery City Board voted to allow a limited number of chickens and goats at two adjacent properties on Garden Street while imposing conditions after neighbors described animals roaming and property damage.
Neighbors, including Rosie Orem, a Garden Street block captain with the Children’s Improvement Association, told the board they had seen goats eating flowers and roaming the neighborhood. “I counted up 12 goats across the street eating up my neighbor's flowers,” Orem said during public comment. Petitioners asked for permission to keep poultry and goats on two separate lots, 49 and 51 Garden Street.
The board examined the zoning rules and lot sizes. Staff reported each lot measures about 0.22 acres; under city poultry guidance that would normally allow four chickens per lot. The board noted past practice limiting backyard poultry and, after discussion and an initial motion to delay so neighbors could gather evidence, approved a motion limiting the two properties to three chickens per lot (six total) with one coop on each lot, and two goats per lot (four total) so long as the goats are fenced in the backyard. The board also required coops meet city standards.
Opponents asked for stricter limits: several residents said they preferred no more than two goats total and no more than six chickens total from the neighborhood petition; the board’s decision reflects a compromise between those requests and the petitioner’s original request. The board discussed enforcement: members said newly received complaints and photographic evidence could prompt the board to revisit the approvals. Chairman John Stanley emphasized that future verified complaints could lead to modification or revocation of the permission.
The board made clear there is no specific city limit for goats in the zoning code and that number restrictions for livestock are not spelled out in the poultry regulations; the board therefore imposed the goat limit as a condition of the special-exception approval. The decision was reached by voice/hand vote with the full membership present and recorded as in favor.
