Fighting for my chickens tonight- wish me luck- UPDATE-we lost!!

[miss_thenorth]

Many years ago, my dad wanted to build an addition onto his house. He needed a variance for the garage to come closer tot the road than what he was allowed. So he went to the twon council to get a variance. They denied him probably 15 times. the 16th time, they allowed it.

So my advice is don't give up---make them sick of you.

 

[NorTracNY]

Do you know who which board member was the controlling (lead) one? Is he up for election? Bad press and elections are good motivators for change.

 

[s6bee]

The one that lead the meeting was a woman, I can find out her name. The person who is in charge of the town code enforcment my husband spoke with on many occasions.
I'll try again. Our kids were with us, and I let my hubby talk, my daughter age 13, turned to me and said,
"are you able to talk", cause she knows I dont' back down...but that only gets people mad. I had to be a good example, however, IF they weren't there, it may have been a different story....
It's $35 every time I file.....ouch!

 

[McGoo]

So sorry to hear the bad news.

Right now you're down about this, but don't give up.

Some of these board members get a little power and think that they're some kind of supreme being.

And it has nothing to do with where you live, just the members on your zoning board.

Ideas: Don't give up... be persistent! Talk to the members one by one. Invite them over or bring them eggs. Talk to preserves or get involved in a program to bring eggs to schools for hatching. Do things that show your chickens in a really positive light. Maybe you can change their minds.

Just some crazy thoughts - but maybe something will help. All the best!

 

[NorTracNY]

Well shame on me. As I wrote 'he/she' I thought that your town was the same as mine seeing it's next door. We just have white Republican men running the town. I only have heard bad things about 2 of them and one resigned. The amazing thing is that they will be replaced by a woman Republican or a male Democrat. So it looks like something historic will be happening here.
Best of luck. Let me know if you think I can do anything to help you. I know lots of people in Gananda, but they are all in Macedon.

 

[spook]

Ask your neighbors to put their thoughts on paper. Hand you a copy, send the STATE a copy and the town.
Go to the govenor and the reps of your county, its always nice to have votes. Pass out flyers in the town with picket signs at your local Walmart and again, let us have a shot at flooding your town hall with snail mail. Your state must have a local Chicken community, home owners and farms.
I would recommend that you ask your neighbors if they would give their 15 min of fame to a news crew. Keep at them, don't stop. Its the squeeky wheel that get the oil.
Offer to put in writting that you will only contain no more the 5 birds at any one time, no roos, and you will sign paper work that you will not ever try to get goats- lol.
Do you or your husband have a disabled person in your home? Then you should go against the town with the government and owning something that brings pride, celebration and food.
There has got to be a loop hole for you someplace. Grrrrr.
BTW, I am so sorry to hear how things turned out. Very sad indeed.

 

[Sugar Sand Farm]

If you have a local TV station talk to them . They are always looking for a good human intrest story. Have your immediate neighbors with you to show they are on your side. you never know until you try. Here the local TV station has an email address for every on screen person . It makes it easier to contact them. Good luck

 

[annmarie]

I'm so sorry you lost. I have 3 hens too and I can't imagine what I'd do if I was told I couldn't keep them. I understand your reluctance to keep fighting, but I think you'd be fighting for a noble cause, especially when they told you you couldn't complain about your neigbors spraying chemicals all over their lawn, but your 3 chickens are some kind of hazard. Them is fightin' words, I guess you could say!

 

[spook]

Letters to the Editor...need help? <weg>

 

[s6bee]

Thank you everyone for your support. It took me forever to fall asleep because my mind was just raging with anger and ideas. I know my one neighbor will not get on TV or sign anythng 'cause I'm pretty sure he made the complaint despite giving me the OK last year. He put his house on the market last month. My other neighbor made a statement to the town when they knocked on her door yesterday that she had no issue with them, but I did find out that she would have concern on property value if they decided to sell. I had gone to her asking to sign a letter, she gave me an excuse that she didn't do letters well, so then I did a petition and she didn't sign "because she gave the statement". I did get others to sign it but I doubt it would do anything. Now I don't know who I can count on!
I think most of my anger is the fact that I would assume if one applies for a variance, one at least has the opportunity to plead thier case. They just shut us down and voted before we could really talk. I brought up many local upscale towns that have no code against chickens ( those who are local to me know these towns ,Pittsford, Brighton, Rochester, Henrietta ). They all allow them!! They laughed at me and said I doubt it, despite the articles I printed and brought for them to read. Then after the vote denied us, I got up there to try and plead our side, and the desire to raise our family in a more rural way of life on a small scale but are unable to because of the affordability and high property/school taxes our area puts on the residents, the one Board members just stretched out his arms and said with his face, "oh well, too bad". I was blown away.
I don't know if I want to fight this or put my energy into moving which is my dream. There is just very little out there that is rural in our area. I would more than likely have to switch the kids to a different district and they are both in Middle school, a very tough age to do it!
I need to figure this whole thing out. I doubt we'll just let it go but not sure how far we'll push.
The ironic thing is, I just recently got hired as the on call Animal Control officer. I don't think they or my neighbors know that and I have funny feeling, they don't license thier dogs....

BTW, not sure what the method is, but I guess if anyone is interested in writing to the town here's the address
TOWN OF WALWORTH
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
3600 Lorraine Drive, Walworth, N.Y. 14568
Telephone: (315) 986-1400