Council to continue discussion on request to allow miniature goats in residential districts

The Milton Planning Board forwarded a recommendation to allow miniature goats within residential zoning districts; councilors reviewed the recommendation during the May 13 work session and elected to keep the item on the regular meeting agenda for additional discussion.

Staff introduced the planning board recommendation as an item seeking council action. Several council members said they wanted further discussion rather than moving the change to consent.

Multiple residents and staff spoke against a citywide change to permit miniature goats. Teresa Messick, who identified her address as 6830 Pine Street, said she opposed changing the Unified Development Code and warned it could open the door to other livestock and create maintenance burdens. Public Works Director Joe Cook said permitting goats in residential zones would generate complaints and maintenance challenges — “These animals do poop, pee, and when they do, it kills the grass,” Cook said, adding that animals could get out and damage neighbors’ yards.

Council members agreed to leave the proposed change on the agenda for further discussion at the regular meeting; no ordinance or vote was recorded during the work session. Councilmembers and residents emphasized concerns about noise, property maintenance, enforcement burden and potential precedent for permitting other types of livestock in the city.

Staff did not propose specific permit conditions or limits at the work session; council asked for more discussion before taking action.

The planning board recommendation will return for council deliberation during the regular meeting as scheduled.