FRANKLIN TWP — The township board of supervisors approved modest zoning ordinances surrounding land use, animals on property and height requirements.

Approved at a public hearing for the ordinances Monday, April 21, part of the zoning changes alter the size and height limits of detached garages.

Lots of land less than 1 acre can have a garage with a total floor area of 900 square feet, and be 20 feet tall. Lots of land 1 to 2 acres large can reach 1,200 square feet in area and be 24 feet tall. Lots that are 2 to 3 acres large can have a maximum area of 1,800 square feet, and the height limit was scrapped. The height cannot exceed the height of primary use for the garage, according to the ordinance.

Keeping of chickens and fowl also are subject to additional changes. A minimum lot size of 1 acre is needed for chickens and fowl, and lots are allowed eight poultry birds per acre.

Roosters are not permitted on property less than 2 acres large.

According to the ordinance, restrictions remain on “accessory structures.” While fences and authorized signs can be in the front yard, accessory structures are permitted if the lot of land is 2 acres minimum and must be at least 80 feet back from the road. It also must be constructed on either side of the home and not block the view of the structure.

The zoning changes also add new general definitions of the township’s zoning code. A park model is a small, semi-permanent RV built on wheels and meant for short-term use. A tiny house is a detached, single-family dwelling between 100 and 599 square feet. And a yurt is supported by a metal frame with a compression ring in the center of the roof, is round and covered on the outside, and built permanently on a wooden platform.

Zoning officer, Kelly Barnhart, said the township’s planning commission had reviewed the proposals and was in favor of all the changes at its meeting in March.

Board chairman Nathan Wulff said the main reason for zoning changes was to keep it updated for community needs.

“Zoning ordinances in general are meant to be revisited from time to time and adjusted to meet the needs of the residents. And I think that’s all it really is here, there’s no new restrictions actually, everything is kind of opening up, loosening some of the restrictions of property uses,” Wulff said.

Township solicitor Anthony Cosgrove said the public hearing was required for the zoning ordinances, and the board had to open the meeting for public input.