Orono council approves text amendment clarifying animal definitions, allows hens or pigeons on small lots

The Orono City Council unanimously approved a zoning text amendment that revises how animals are defined and regulated in city code, including a new domestic poultry category and lot‑size thresholds.

Planner Matthew Carney told the council the change responds to prior Planning Commission hearings triggered by an application concerning pigeons in a lakeshore residential district. Carney said the city will allow domestic poultry on residential lots of at least a half‑acre, with farm animals reserved for larger lots or conditional use permits, and that staff corrected planning‑commission language to reflect the commission’s intent: “either 5 hens or 25 pigeons or doves to be kept on those half‑acre to 2‑acre lots,” he said.

Carney described other cleanups to definitions for agricultural and pasture terms, clarified setback requirements for buildings that house animals (including lakeshore setbacks), and added discretion for staff to calculate animal units where weight‑based measures previously applied. He said the Planning Commission and staff recommend approval.

Council discussed the statutory voting threshold with the city attorney (noting a three‑member majority of the full council is required when only three members are present) and asked clarifying questions about which zones and lot sizes would be affected. After discussion, Councilmember Ricks moved and the council voted to approve the amendment.

The amendment preserves Lakeshore Residential farm animals as a conditional use and aims to provide flexibility for small‑lot domestic poultry while codifying standards for setbacks, animal housing and supplemental standards.

The text amendment was approved by the council in a recorded motion; staff will proceed with ordinance adoption and summary publication per statute.