County officials are moving ahead to the draft stage for an emotional support animals ordinance as a way to accommodate a Tidioute couple that approached the Planning Commission after they were found in violation of the county’s zoning ordinance by having several goats on their property.

If enacted, that would put Warren County one of the first municipalities in the state to enact such an ordinance.

“We were able to find only one municipality in the state of Pennsylvania has adopted an emotional support animal ordinance,” Planning Director Michael Lyon said. “Everyone in the state is waiting to see who does it first.”

The commission was presented with two options – an emotional support animal ordinance or a new section of the zoning ordinance for the non-commercial keeping of livestock similar to the county’s “backyard chicken” ordinance.

The main issue in this instance is one of setbacks. Having goats would require a 150 foot setback from all property lines.

Lyon said he polled the county’s zoned municipalities and received a split verdict – some don’t want the ordinance changed while others wanted the setbacks increased, rather than decreased.

“The emotional support animal ordinance… (is) kind of where I think we should probably go,” Lyon told the commission.

He did tell the commission that they also “have the choice of doing absolutely nothing.”

“There are a lot of choices,” Commission chair Paul Pascuzzi said. “There is a lot of variability here. I’d rather have something that’s a little more concrete personally.”

Lyon indicated that the commissioners have been consulted and concurred with the emotional support animal path.

“We’ll take our time,” Pascuzzi said. “I don’t want to rush this.”

Lyon said he would bring a draft ordinance to the May Commission meeting.

“I have every confidence we can put a draft together that will be acceptable,” he said.