It appears that the chickens soon will be able to come home to roost in Dorr Township.

The Township Planning Commission, in front of a near-record eight residents in attendance, approved recommending an ordinance amendment that will allow up to 10 hens on residential property. The recommendation will go to the Township Board at its Aug. 25 meeting, along with a variety of other ordinance amendments the commission has been working on with Planner Tim Johnson since last January.

The new rules, approved after a public hearing, not only allow increase the maximum number of hens, but also eliminate the need to get permits from the zoning administrator, call for at least an eight-foot distance from property lines and waive the need for 200 feet between the chicken coops and the residence.

Johnson said the key is to minimize complaints from neighbors and at the same time allow as many people in the township as possible to have chickens for food (eggs) or as pets.

Kevin Mauer, who first brought the issue to the Township Board earlier this year, insisted rules for chickens should be similar to those for keeping dogs and cats. He insisted chickens don’t make as much noise as dogs.

Johnson explained, “Dogs, cats and guinea pigs traditionally have been welcome in residential areas. This is just a trial set of regulations.”

Mauer said he believes the maximum number of chickens should be tied to the size of their pens.

“Historically, chickens were kept along with dogs, but we got away from that.”

Commissioner Larry Dolegowski agreed that more than four hens should be allowed and he acknowledged the keeping of chickens is getting more popular, even in urban areas. He added that chickens can be essential for students in 4-H and FFA programs.

Jeff Zinger told the commission he was forced to give up his chickens earlier this year because of zoning ordinance violations in Sunny View Estates. He said his children had been involved in raising them.

He also asserted chickens can less problematic than dogs.

“I can hear dogs (barking) all night long, but even a rooster is only noisy in the morning.”

Johnson noted the Township Board also will consider proposed ordinance amendments “that hadn’t been updated in 20 years. We just wanted to bring everything up to date.”

Not all proposed ordinance amendments were handled in the meeting, so a public hearing on what remains will be held Sept. 20 by the Planning Commission.

PHOTO: Planner Tim Johnson explains proposed new rules for keeping chickens in Dorr Township.