Updates on the last pages: Neighbor is threatening me and my chickens

[Smileybans]

Have you looked into the specifics of getting a variance? Quite often the code is written so that it can't be used to make an exception for an owner of a typical property. The intent is to give a bit of flexibility for unique parcels and specifically not to let some people have different rules than everyone else.

For example, a variance was given to one of my neighbors to build a garage a few inches closer to the road than the setback requirement allowed - only because the unique topography of that corner meant that garage did not shorten the sightlines of traffic on that road or interfere with any other purpose of that setback (I don't remember all the purposes for it... allow for utilities, maybe -also something that wouldn't be relevant on that road.) No other property in the township would qualify for such a variance.

Not to be unsympathetic; but to possibly save you some fees and hassels and maybe some time before looking for other alternatives.

I have actually read the variance laws for my village. I’m probably among the few people in this village that actually know the laws. There’s a use variance and an area variance. I qualify to get the use variance. The area variance I qualify for as well, but the village just doesn’t want me to have the chickens.

Since it’s already written into the laws that chickens are allowed I need a variance to allow them less than the 300ft. Since now I need to have at least 500 feet from the sidewalk to the end of my property line. The property is 375 feet from the sidewalk. The nice neighbor is 75ft from the sidewalk, I measured since the ordinance officer won’t. I have the 300ft but not the extra 20ft I now have to have from the back property line. Even though there isn’t a house there. It’s vacant property. All I’m asking for is a variance until I move. Not forever. But these people act like it’s forever.

 

[saysfaa]

Maybe so. Needing it is different than qualifying for it but maybe so.

I read a LOT of zoning ordinances when we moved to this area, because I knew I wanted chickens. And quite a few when we moved into other areas back when I I was thinking of getting a couple of calves. They vary a lot. Having distances from coop/barn to property line is common, some had distance from coop to neighboring house instead (or in addition, in some cases). I think having to property line is common partly because it doesn't change when people build on the neighboring lot.

I usually measured via google earth or the US government soil survey website. The most irritating one was needing four more inches to build a garage onto a house we looked at (didn't buy mostly because of this). It was the most irritating because the empty lot beside it went with it. The township said they could not combine the lots (actually or for zoning purposes) or give a variance because of the state law the developer subdivided under. Anyway, we could see the four inches with google earth, confirmed by measuring with a tape measure too.

 

[NatJ]

You could tell the zoning board you play chicken & rooster sounds on your stereo all day since you miss them, & that is why your neighbor thinks he hears chickens (if he suspects anything).

You could actually play sounds of chickens, as long as that doesn't break any other rules.

That might annoy your neighbor, but it would nicely cover any sounds the real chickens do make.

 

[Smileybans]

I just need to reassurance from other chicken people that I’m not doing the wrong thing. Tomorrow is the day I’m moving my chickens into the house. And I am so anxious about it. The stomach pains are back full force from my anxiety. I’m back to not being able to sleep.


I keep telling myself winter is coming and they’re better off in the house than the 200+ feet they currently are away. That two of my roosters need meds and the farmer isn’t going to do that. That these guys are my responsibility. I wanted to keep chickens since the day Fuzzy hatched. Now I can’t imagine my days without them.

But I don’t want to deprive my chickens of the outside world. I can grow fodder for them and I have plant lights. But that’s an artificial world. The fake world is only temporary, sure. But am I still doing harm to them? No matter what it’s temporary. Either I get the variance first or we move first. I just don’t want my flock to suffer because I’m too emotionally stunted to handle life without them. Hopefully this is just my anxiety talking, maybe I’m too attached. I don’t know.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

It sounds like, at this point, you are going to have anxiety no matter what you do. If you move your chickens into the basement, you will feel anxiety over wondering if that is fair to them, even if only temporarily. You will also have anxiety over wondering if you are going to get into trouble for doing that. Question: what is the worst that could happen if you get caught? Will they fine you? Make you get rid of them? You have a back-up plan for that already anyway, right? A farmer is willing to take them?

If you do NOT put the chickens in the house, what is the alternative? Place them with the farmer right away. You will have anxiety on two counts: one, because you don't think the roosters will receive the care they need, and two, you will suffer from being separated from them, even if it is only temporary.

It does not seem as if "no anxiety" is on the menu here. That doesn't seem to be an option. So your choice is, which anxiety can you actually live with?

It seems to me (and this is just my opinion, take it for what it's worth) that you have little or nothing to lose by hiding the chickens. If you get away with it, great, you're ahead of the game. Nothing ventured, nothing lost. If you get busted, oh well. Haha, you caught me, I'll get rid of the birds now. Pick them back up when you get moved.

What do you think?

 

[AfiafiAfi]

It sounds like, at this point, you are going to have anxiety no matter what you do. If you move your chickens into the basement, you will feel anxiety over wondering if that is fair to them, even if only temporarily. You will also have anxiety over wondering if you are going to get into trouble for doing that. Question: what is the worst that could happen if you get caught? Will they fine you? Make you get rid of them? You have a back-up plan for that already anyway, right? A farmer is willing to take them?

If you do NOT put the chickens in the house, what is the alternative? Place them with the farmer right away. You will have anxiety on two counts: one, because you don't think the roosters will receive the care they need, and two, you will suffer from being separated from them, even if it is only temporary.

It does not seem as if "no anxiety" is on the menu here. That doesn't seem to be an option. So your choice is, which anxiety can you actually live with?

It seems to me (and this is just my opinion, take it for what it's worth) that you have little or nothing to lose by hiding the chickens. If you get away with it, great, you're ahead of the game. Nothing ventured, nothing lost. If you get busted, oh well. Haha, you caught me, I'll get rid of the birds now. Pick them back up when you get moved.

What do you think?

Agreed.

 

[Smileybans]

It sounds like, at this point, you are going to have anxiety no matter what you do. If you move your chickens into the basement, you will feel anxiety over wondering if that is fair to them, even if only temporarily. You will also have anxiety over wondering if you are going to get into trouble for doing that. Question: what is the worst that could happen if you get caught? Will they fine you? Make you get rid of them? You have a back-up plan for that already anyway, right? A farmer is willing to take them?

If you do NOT put the chickens in the house, what is the alternative? Place them with the farmer right away. You will have anxiety on two counts: one, because you don't think the roosters will receive the care they need, and two, you will suffer from being separated from them, even if it is only temporary.

It does not seem as if "no anxiety" is on the menu here. That doesn't seem to be an option. So your choice is, which anxiety can you actually live with?

It seems to me (and this is just my opinion, take it for what it's worth) that you have little or nothing to lose by hiding the chickens. If you get away with it, great, you're ahead of the game. Nothing ventured, nothing lost. If you get busted, oh well. Haha, you caught me, I'll get rid of the birds now. Pick them back up when you get moved.

What do you think?

Thank you. For laying that out honestly and logically.

The anxiety I can live with is having my animals here and knowing my roosters are cared for. Knowing that if I’m having a bad day I can go to them and hold them. Or just sit with them.

The worst they will do if I’m caught is fine me. I think I can have the chickens moved before the ordinance officer comes with a warrant to check the house anyway. I don’t know if they can remove the birds since it doesn’t say anywhere in the zoning laws that chickens are strictly illegal. But who knows with these people. The other people in town were told to get rid of their chickens, supposed to a week ago, and haven’t yet. Ordinance officer has yet to enforce anything with them.

My back up plan is the farmer. He is willing to take all of my birds and can accommodate them. But I’m not comfortable doing that unless I absolutely have to.

I just dread moving them so much. It was a hassle and hard on everyone the first time. At least being in the house they’ll be back to somewhere they know, I raised them all in the house, and somewhere safe.

 

[NatJ]

But I don’t want to deprive my chickens of the outside world. I can grow fodder for them and I have plant lights. But that’s an artificial world. The fake world is only temporary, sure. But am I still doing harm to them? No matter what it’s temporary.

In some cold climates, chickens stay inside their coop for months every winter. Inside your house might be better than inside many chicken coops!

It sounds like you already have plans to provide for their needs (enough space, food & water, other chickens for company, a temperature that is not too hot or too cold, and so forth.)

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Thank you. For laying that out honestly and logically.

The anxiety I can live with is having my animals here and knowing my roosters are cared for. Knowing that if I’m having a bad day I can go to them and hold them. Or just sit with them.

The worst they will do if I’m caught is fine me. I think I can have the chickens moved before the ordinance officer comes with a warrant to check the house anyway. I don’t know if they can remove the birds since it doesn’t say anywhere in the zoning laws that chickens are strictly illegal. But who knows with these people. The other people in town were told to get rid of their chickens, supposed to a week ago, and haven’t yet. Ordinance officer has yet to enforce anything with them.

My back up plan is the farmer. He is willing to take all of my birds and can accommodate them. But I’m not comfortable doing that unless I absolutely have to.

I just dread moving them so much. It was a hassle and hard on everyone the first time. At least being in the house they’ll be back to somewhere they know, I raised them all in the house, and somewhere safe.

I hope that helped. I just remember a day when I lost a beloved Collie. It was devastating. Completely overwhelming. I didn't know how I could go on. I realized I had two choices. I could avoid that pain only if I chose to never have another dog again, ever. Losing a dog was overwhelming pain. If I never got another dog again, I could avoid that pain of losing one. But I realized that if I chose to live without a dog, my life would be lonely and incomplete, and that would be unbearable. Those were my choices. Occasional overwhelming pain vs constant unbearable pain. No pain was not an option. I have never been without a dog since then. That was my choice.

 

[Smileybans]

My husband talked to the ordinance officer today and explained to him why we wanted a variance. For my mental health. That the chickens are registered emotional support animals and them taking the chickens from me is like them saying “F” your mental health. Once my husband mentioned a lawyer the ordinance officer was more than willing to cooperate.


The reason we talked to this jerk again is because I talked to a lawyer today and she told me that I can request a stay until the variance decision. I can also report the ordinance officer to the state if I feel like I’m being treated differently. Which I know I am. Since this jerk hasn’t forced anyone else to get rid of their chickens. He’s only forcing us because my neighbor keeps complaining.

We had people over today just to hang out and see the chickens. They were having a great time and love the chickens. They even want some of their own now. My neighbor was snooping in his yard and, as one of my guests was walking down my yard, pulled my guest aside. Neighbor started talking to him like N was the nicest guy around. Then introduces himself as the chicken nazi. I don’t know why but this nickname bothers me so much. I know it’s there to bother me, but he obviously isn’t a nice neighbor if he’s making these nicknames up for himself. If he’s introducing himself to my friends as the chicken nazi. I hate my neighbor. I’ve never hated anyone more. I swear.