Montgomery City Board of Adjustment approves variances and exceptions, denies one chicken permit

The Montgomery City Board of Adjustment on an evening meeting heard requests ranging from backyard animals to a private allied-health school and approved most requests, while denying one chicken permit after members said they’d received evidence of a rooster.

Vice Chairman George Howell presided over the meeting of the nine-member board, with six members present. The board laid out standard hearing rules before calling items. Bridal Jose Rosales Morales asked for permission to keep four chickens at 3115 Lucian Lane and told the board he had removed a rooster; board members said they had photographic and video evidence that a rooster had been crowing. Board member Barry Robinson moved to deny the request on that basis; the motion carried unanimously. "Sorry. You can't keep chickens," Howell said after the vote.

Later, Pablo (transcript: "Paulo") Lopez Luna requested a special exception to keep four hens at a property on Elmsmeade Drive. Neighbor Robina Jenkins described the enclosure as a covered, well-constructed coop and supported the request. The board approved Lopez Luna’s request unanimously and added a condition that the coop comply with city guidelines.

Other approvals included a special exception for a private…