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Residents urge township to clarify ordinances for goats, noise and addressing problems
Summary
Public commenters asked the township to define whether goats are covered under existing livestock or pet rules, cited early-morning noise and 911/addressing issues, and asked the solicitor and zoning official to review ordinance updates and enforcement steps.
At the Aug. 22 meeting Don Batton and other residents asked Upper Township to clarify its ordinances on animals after complaints about goats kept on a nearby property.
"There are no rules. Goats bleat, which bark like dogs," said Don Batton, who raised noise complaints and questions about setbacks, manure handling and whether animal-control and zoning rules apply in RD (rural development) zones. Batton said the animals are being kept on a small parcel rather than a commercial farm and that noise begins around 5 a.m.
Town officials said the noise ordinance and code-enforcement pathways can be used immediately to address early-morning disturbances while the solicitor and zoning official review the municipal code for specific rules governing goats and other nontraditional backyard livestock. One committee member suggested soliciting ordinance language from other municipalities that have addressed pet goats.
Separately, residents raised addressing and 911 concerns (example: properties listed as Route 50 addresses that do not sit on Route 50) and urged the township to coordinate with the tax assessor and U.S. Postal Service to correct records.
The committee agreed to ask the solicitor and zoning official to review the ordinances and return with options; code enforcement may act on noise complaints in the interim.
