FOUNTAIN SPRINGS — A family from Butler Township is hoping to raise goats, chickens, ducks and rabbits in their yard.
On Thursday, however, the Butler Township Zoning Hearing Board said it needed some time to consider whether or not that’s permitted on the property owned by Adam J. and Melanie Gamble, 60 South St., Lavelle, which is in an R-2 zone.
“The applicant submitted an application for a zoning permit to basically do animal husbandry on the property. The property consists of 2.3 acres. There is a residence on it. And they’re looking for permission to house livestock,” William P. Anders, township engineer, said.
The Gambles want to house a maximum of six goats, 10 chickens, four ducks and 20 rabbits, Anders said.
“In the zoning district the property is located in, it’s not allowed at all,” Anders said.
He recommended the board deny the request.
“Would you agree with me that animal husbandry is not defined in the Butler Township Zoning Ordinance?” the Gambles’ attorney, Lloyd R. Hampton, Ashland, asked.
“Correct. That’s why I went with Webster’s,” Anders said.
“I took a look at the Schuylkill County Zoning Ordinance, and it’s not defined in there, either,” Hampton said.
“Correct,” Anders said.
“The property surrounding the Gambles is either rural agriculture, low-density residential or business, correct?” Hampton asked.
“If you look at the properties that touch the Gamble property, on three sides you’re surrounded by properties that are in the R-2 zone,” Anders said.
Across the street from it is a B-2 zone, Anders said.
“Would you describe the Gamble residence as rural in character?” Hampton asked.
“Yes,” Anders said.
“Also, in the R-2 zoning district where the Gamble property is located, you can see there are a couple of larger tracts around it. At some time, those could be developed into smaller tracts. And when I take a look at this, I take that into consideration,” Anders said.
Adam Gamble said the animals would be fenced in on his property.
“And there’s no commercial aspect,” Hampton said.
The Gamble family only plans to raise the animals for food for themselves.
“Are you going to sell any eggs?” Hampton asked Adam Gamble.
“No,” Adam Gamble said.
“Are you going to sell any ducks?” Hampton asked.
“No,” Adam Gamble said.
“Are you going to breed any ducks?” Hampton asked.
“No,” Adam Gamble said.
“And you’re not going to have any intensive activity out there in raising ducks, correct?” Hampton asked.
“Correct,” Adam Gamble said.
“What else are you going to raise?” Hampton asked.
“We’re going to raise hens” Adam Gamble said.
“And what are the purpose of the hens?” Hampton asked.
“For meat and eggs,” Adam Gamble said.
“Are you going to sell any hens or eggs?” Hampton asked.
“No,” Adam Gamble said.
“What are you going to do with the goats?” Hampton asked.
“They’re for milk and meat,” Adam Gamble said.
“Are you going to make goat cheese?” Hampton asked.
“That’s a good possibility,” Adam Gamble said.
“Are you going to sell any?” Hampton asked.
“No,” Adam Gamble said.
“What are you going to do with the rabbits?” Hampton asked.
“For meat,” Adam Gamble said.
“I don’t think it’s very far flung of an argument that the raising of just a couple goats, chickens, ducks and rabbits in a rural area such as this is not a permitted accessory use of a property. I think it’s a normal use of the property. And because it doesn’t say that specifically in the ordinance doesn’t mean it’s a use that’s denied,” Hampton told the board.
After a brief executive session, the board decided to review the matter for 30 days.
“We have elected to continue to deliberate and hold another executive session within 30 days. This would allow counsel to submit any additional evidence such as consent from the neighbors in writing,” the hearing officer, Brian Urban, an attorney from Pottsville, said.
Present at Thursday’s meeting were Barb Cheddar, the board’s chairwoman, and board members Roy Green, and John Tarson.
Board members Tom Cuff and T.J. McAndrew were absent.
In other matters at Thursday’s meeting, Suglia’s Pizzeria & Restaurant, Frackville, took another step toward establishing a new location at the former Alfredo’s in Fountain Springs.
The board granted Suglia’s a variance regarding the parking lot at 831 Fountain St., Butler Township.
“It was a variance regarding an interpretation of the number of required parking spaces. Right now, there are about 20 parking spaces there. But they aren’t compliant with current regulations, as far as dimensions. None of them can be used for the new restaurant. We’re planning to install 25 parking spaces there,” the site engineer, Mike Brinkash of Brinkash & Associates Inc. Surveying and Engineering, Ashland.
The former Alfredo’s restaurant is a 2,200-square-foot building.
The new Suglia’s will be a 3,300-square-foot building.
At 7 p.m. today, the Butler Township Planning Commission may approve the plan.
“The planning commission couldn’t take any action on it until we had the variances,” Brinkash said.
The township supervisors may approve the plan at their 7 p.m. Tuesday meeting.
Contact the writer: spytak@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6011