Several Nephi residents recently protested limits for small animals set by the city Planning and Zoning Commission.
Richard Woodward, 605 S. 200 West, was told in a letter that he has too many fancy chickens on his lot and must get rid of a lot of them. Woodward and several of his neighbors protested at a City Council meeting.The area's zoning allows animals, and the zoning ordinance states a "reasonable and manageable" number can be supported.
"Dick moved here and fixed up two old chicken coops and made a nice yard," said Brooks Taylor, a neighbor.
Another neighbor was told to get rid of two potbellied pigs, which are pets, not farm animals, he said. "There have been animals there ever since I can remember," Taylor added.
The neighborhood petition, he said, indicates residents support animals being allowed on the properties according to the zoning. "We have raised 110 signatures," said Taylor.
"There are people who don't want animals," Mayor Robert Steele responded. City administrator Randy McKnight agreed, saying a complaint was received in May.
In the zone, animals cannot be raised for sale but are to be raised for personal food production, educational use or recreation.
Verl Thomas spoke in defense of the educational aspect of Wood-ward's animals.
"He should be granted an exception on the grounds of the educational value, alone," said Thomas. He said Woodward provided fertilized eggs for the 4-H program for the past two years. He had also provided fertilized eggs for school classes to conduct science projects.
"He brought a petting zoo to the elementary school last year with just overnight warning," said Thomas. If Woodward were shut down, he said, it would be a detrimental to the town.
Steele said if there were enough people who wanted zoning changes, it could be done.
However, residents don't want a zoning changes. They would like a reasonable number for different types of animals, the council was told.
For example, said Woodward, a goose and a finch do not need the same amount of space. More finches could be raised in a smaller area. Goats and a cow have different space requirements.
"We are interested in figuring out what is reasonable and manageable," said Steele.
Glenn Greenhalgh, chairman of the city Planning and Zoning Commission, consulted with experts and viewed ordinances from other locales before setting the number of types of animals allowed in the zone, said Don Eyre Jr., city attorney.
"You've given him (Greenhalgh) power to make these determinations," Eyre added.
Council member Milt Harmon suggested the group of protesters make an appointment with the Planning and Zoning Commission. "They need your input," he said.