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Blakely Borough Council votes to allow backyard chickens under guidelines after public hearing
Summary
After a public hearing and executive session May 18, 2026, Blakely Borough Council denied a curative amendment but approved a motion to allow backyard chickens under a framework based on the applicant’s proposal with minor adjustments; the vote was unanimous of members present.
Blakely Borough Council on May 18, 2026, voted to permit backyard chickens in the borough under a framework based on a curative amendment filed by resident Cynthia Petrucci. The council first voted to deny the formal curative amendment but then approved a separate motion to allow chickens using Ms. Petrucci’s proposed criteria with minor adjustments.
The public hearing drew several residents in support. Laura Gillow said she “supports having a small-scale allowance for hens,” citing lower egg costs. Kali Gargone told council hens “will eat waste which would limit the amount that is put into the landfill.” Resident Evan Zavada read a prepared statement urging the council to adopt reasonable rules (setback requirements, a rooster ban, coop fencing and an inspection process) and argued that properly regulated chickens “enhance residents’ health through producing nutritious eggs” and pose limited nuisance risk.
After an executive session, Councilman Edward J. Alco Jr. moved to deny the curative amendment; Joseph Munley seconded that motion and it carried with all members present voting in favor. Council then passed a motion by Jeffrey Cruciani, seconded by Michael Henzes, to allow chickens following Ms. Petrucci’s outline with minor adjustments; the motion passed unanimously among members present.
The transcript does not record a complete ordinance text or the exact amended language; council directed that the implementation follow the applicant’s framework with modifications. The council’s action includes procedural steps: the curative amendment mechanism was denied, and authorization was given by motion to implement a local rule permitting chickens. Council did not record a detailed enforcement timetable or the precise setback/limit numbers in the public minutes.
Next steps indicated in the meeting: staff will prepare the formal ordinance language or amendment reflecting the approved framework for future advertisement and formal adoption as required by borough procedure. The council adjourned following its final business that evening.
