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Residents split as Cortland board weighs draft ordinance to allow backyard chickens
Summary
Speakers at the Aug. 14 Village of Cortland meeting presented competing views on a draft ordinance to permit backyard chickens; the board placed the item on the September agenda for ordinance drafting and enforcement review.
At the Village of Cortland meeting on Aug. 14, residents delivered sharply divided public comment on a draft ordinance that would allow backyard chickens in town under specified conditions.
Registered proponents including Mary Jo Bean (235 E. 4th St.) and Tori Hurst (825 Sheridan) told the board that allowing a limited number of chickens would enable children to participate in 4‑H projects and provide households with eggs; a draft ordinance circulated at the meeting would prohibit roosters, require a permit fee, set coop space per chicken and limit the total number allowed. Opponents, including Todd Niemeier (315 E. First St.), Cindy Chapman (150 E. 5th St.) and Dave McGuire (150 N. Vermont), said the village already faces enforcement challenges and raised concerns about public health, property damage, odors and pests such as mice and snakes.
Briana Bartlett, listed as a resource and who operates a farm outside town, offered to provide educational packets and said she would help residents who needed a place to relocate chickens if an owner fell out of compliance. The clerk provided comparative ordinances from nearby towns; Trustee German supplied an example ordinance from Palmyra that includes neighbor permission requirements.
Board members did not adopt an ordinance at the meeting. Instead, they agreed to place the issue on the September agenda for further drafting; Attorney Jena will review enforcement of the current code and how a new ordinance could be implemented. The clerk noted the process would include the required readings if the board moves forward.
The item raised two recurring concerns for the board: balancing residents’ interest in small-scale poultry keeping (including youth 4‑H participation) against the staff time and sheriff involvement required to enforce any new code, and public-health and nuisance risks cited by opponents.
The board’s September packet will include proposed ordinance language and any enforcement recommendations from Attorney Jena.
