Plum's zoning hearing board has denied the request of a Chateau Court man who wanted a variance to keep a half-dozen chickens on his property.
The board announced its 4-0 decision after a 15-minute closed session. Board member Jay Stewart was absent.
Victor Mikhnyuk, 49, who lives in a cul-de-sac in the Holiday Park section of the borough, told the board his family needs to eat fresh chicken eggs -- within one to three hours after they are laid -- for health reasons. The chickens are in a coop across a creek in the woods in the back of Mikhnyuk's property.
"It has been found that fresh eggs have a good result in ridding radiation from the body," said Mikhnyuk, who explained he and his family lived in Russia in 1986 during the Chernobyl nuclear plant explosion.
Mikhnyuk last month was cited for violating the borough's land development ordinance that permits fowl only on two or more acres of property, said Planning Director Greg Bachy. According to the county real estate Web site, Mikhnyuk's lot is 18,295 square feet.
Joseph and Kathleen Planavsky, Mikhnyuk's neighbors, said their grandchildren enjoyed watching the chickens.
"It is educational for them," Kathleen Planavsky said. "There's no public nuisance or inconvenience. It's quiet back there."
Board member Salvatore Tresco asked Mikhnyuk if he has an illness from the radiation exposure or if the egg consumption is a precautionary measure.
"I am OK," Mikhnyuk said.
Solicitor Warner Mariani directed Mikhnyuk to take down the coop and get the chickens off the property.
Mikhnyuk has 30 days to file an appeal in county Common Pleas Court, but he said he doesn't plan to appeal.
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