Montclair Looks to Regulate Chicken Coops, Beehives

Montclair was an agricultural and farming community long before it separated from Bloomfield, and in 2012 the township is revisiting its roots. 

Reflecting the revived interest in urban farming and locally grown produce, the township is looking to regulate how residents can lawfully use their property for community gardens. Current ordinances on the township’s books are not clear about urban farming practices such as raising chickens and maintaining beehives. 

“When the ordinance was drafted many, many years ago, nobody thought about community gardens; you didn’t have them,” said Director of Montclair’s Planning and Community Development Janice Talley. “Now there is a trend toward urban farming – growing your food close to where you live. 

“We need to zone for it.” 

On Monday, the Montclair Historical Society Executive Director Jane Eliasos and Montclair Community Farms Coalition member Emmanuela Mujica spoke to the Montclair Planning Board about crafting an appropriate ordinance to govern community gardens. 

The Historical Society has been housing 12 chickens since October and is preparing to farm its 6,000 square foot property this spring. There is also a farm on a property on Miller Street, which is owned by Homes of Montclair Ecumenical Corp.

Mujica, involved with the Essex County 4-H and farm coordinator for the Historical Society, said chickens can be a valuable asset for a community garden and be used for educational purposes.  

“Chickens fertilize and till up the soil,” said Mujica. “... You can use natural systems to grow food better, and do it in an ecologically responsible way.”

Eliasos said this will be the first year the Historical Society will farm the property, which will also be used as an educational model for those interested in urban farming.   

“The goal is that it will start being farmed once the season begins,” said Eliasos. “So much of our history is based on agriculture.” 

Planning Board President John Wynn called for “minimum standards” for those wishing to raise chickens on their property for both the safety and peace of mind of neighboring residents. But he added the regulations should not be “oppressive” where people wouldn’t be able to afford to set up a chicken coup. 

The Planning Board suggested that a Zoning Board subcommittee re-craft regulations governing urban gardens. Many of the Planning Board members seemed to be in support of the farming coming back to Montclair. 

“It’s very cool what you’re suggesting,” said Planning Board member Paul Rabinovitch to Eliasos and Mujica.