Farmington approves special permit for 18 backyard hens after neighbor questions on wildlife and odor

The Town of Farmington Plan and Zoning Commission on Nov. 12 approved a special permit allowing Stanislaw Lipinski to keep 18 chickens in a 9-by-5 coop at 1055 New Britain Avenue in an R-20 zone.

Stanislaw Lipinski, the applicant, said the coop would be located in the backyard and that "everything is enclosed," and described sealed food storage and routine manure disposal; the applicant stated the flock was for personal consumption and not for sale. Neighbors and written correspondents raised concerns about attracting wildlife, including bears, possible odor and noise, and proximity to a public trail. One emailed letter read into the record argued that chickens can attract raccoons, foxes, coyotes and bears and asked the commission to deny the permit.

Commission discussion and findings: Commissioners asked about the number of birds (applicant clarified the permit requested 18 birds), whether there were roosters (not permitted), storage of feed (sealed metal containers) and manure management (municipal trash pickup and composting for garden use). Staff displayed a site plan and noted the coop’s location will be at least 60 feet from the nearby trail and must meet the town regulation minimum setbacks (no less than 10 feet from a side or rear property line where required). Staff also reminded the commission that six chickens may be kept by-right with registration; the range from six to 20 requires commission permit-level review.

Public comment: Neighbor Kerry Callahan, who lives at 21 Penfield Place behind the Lipinskis, said she neither supported nor opposed but had concerns similar to commissioners' about proximity and noise and confirmed a lack of roosters. Other residents and one late email (Kurt Goswick of 39 Penfield Place) were read into the record expressing opposition on wildlife and odor grounds.

Vote and outcome: A motion to approve the special permit for 18 chickens and the 9-by-5 coop at 1055 New Britain Avenue carried by voice vote; the motion passed and the permit was granted. Commissioners recorded conditions and expectations on registration and inspection: the applicant must complete the registration form and accept inspection to confirm compliance with Farmington’s backyard poultry requirements.

Next steps: The permit is approved as described; staff will confirm registration and inspection as part of the normal compliance process.