Leetsdale officials adopt rules for raising chickens in the borough

Leetsdale residents can now raise chickens on their property, provided they adhere to new rules.

Council voted 5-1 at a meeting April 13 to adopt an ordinance regulating foul in the borough.

President Patricia Lee dissented. Councilman Osman Awad was absent.

Lee declined to get into details about why she was against the ordinance. “The majority spoke,” she said.

Council gave attendees a chance to comment on the ordinance prior to its adoption. No one spoke up.

A couple residents after the meeting, who did not give their names, said they were pleased the new law passed.

Resident Henrietta Kretzler was not so appreciative.

“They stink,” Krestzler said about chickens. “They bring rats and people don’t take care of them.”

According to the ordinance, parcels between 5,000 and 10,000 square feet may have up to four chickens. One additional chicken may be on a lot for each additional 10,000 square feet of space. The maximum amount of chickens permitted is six. Roosters are prohibited.

Chickens may be kept for personal use and enjoyment only, the ordinance read. Physical abuse or neglect of chickens is prohibited. They must be kept in a coop, chicken run or fenced area at all times.

Such holding areas must be constructed at least 12 feet away from all property lines.

Coops must have at least 3 square feet of space per chicken.

The ordinance is available for review at the borough office, 373 Beaver St.

Council vice president Maria Napolitano said the ordinance has community support, and was based on similar laws passed in McCandless, Sewickley, Moon Township and Pittsburgh.

“I am going by what the community members had spoken to me about,” she said. “There was interest in chickens and looking at other municipalities where chickens are popular. There were also residents who weren’t much in favor of it.

“The ordinance was carefully read through to try to balance the wishes of the community to make sure people who want to have chickens can have chickens, and those with the smaller yards are not impacted too much my the neighbor’s chicken activities.”

In other business

Council appointed Susie Kretzler-Falcone to the planning commission for a term ending in 2027.

Gary Vlachos was appointed to the Shade Tree Commission for a term ending in 2028.

Council accepted a $500 donation from Sewickley Union Aid to the borough’s summer lunch program. Details about the program are still being worked out.

Arborist Andrew Tomascovic was hired to do tree inspections over the summer at a cost not to exceed $600. Tomascovic will help identify trees that need to receive care or be cut down.

There are two vacancies on the borough’s parks and recreation board. Those interested in the volunteer positions can submit letters of interest and resumes to the borough office.

Opening day for the Henle Park splash pad is May 27. It will remain open daily from noon to 6 p.m. after school closes, weather permitting, and close on Labor Day.