Planning commission approves chicken-coop accessory structure; council considering chicken-coop ordinance

The Village of Glendale Planning and Preservation Commission approved an accessory-structure application from Kevin Silva to build a shed with an attached chicken coop at 55 West Sharon and noted that the village council is considering a separate chicken-coop ordinance.

Silva told the commission he designed the coop using the draft ordinance as a guideline so the structure would conform if the ordinance is adopted. Planning staff confirmed that council held the ordinance’s first reading that evening and explained that, as drafted, the ordinance would create an annual permitting requirement for the keeping of chickens (the permit applies to keeping animals rather than the accessory structure itself).

Commissioners asked staff to confirm combined accessory-square-footage limits—zoning treats accessory structures (sheds, detached garages, coops) as part of a property’s total accessory footprint, which must conform to existing size limits (staff said they would confirm whether a detached garage exists and whether combined area triggers any adjustments). A commissioner noted the ordinance process could take multiple readings; staff said the timing depends on the number of council readings.

After discussing code conformity, the commission voted to approve the proposed accessory structure as presented. Staff said property owners would need to follow the separate chicken-keeping permit process if the council approves the ordinance and that staff would work with the applicant to confirm technical measurements.