The Town of Clay Zoning Board of Appeals spent most of its May 12 meeting on a request to keep chickens as pets in a residential neighborhood, then closed the hearing without deciding — leaving a divided group of neighbors to wait for a future meeting to find out whether the birds stay. The case involves Alexa Dickson, who is seeking an area variance at her home at 7783 Tirrell Hill Circle. Town code requires a minimum of 5 acres to keep farm animals in the applicable residential district; Dickson's lot is 0.30 acres. Dickson, who described herself as a therapist, told the board the chickens are meant to help her 10-year-old son cope with anxiety, saying that cuddling with the chickens and other pets helps him build coping skills and that time outdoors is healing for him. Addressing the board's standard five-point test for area variances, she said the birds would not change the character of the neighborhood since they would stay in low coops, that no other method would meet her son's needs, that the request was not substantial, that any effect would be confined to her own yard, and she acknowledged that the need for the variance was self-created. The audience was split. Neighbor Michelle Valerino said the Dickson children are respectful and that she has neither heard nor smelled the chickens, and Jason Spagnola, who lives directly across the street, said the same. Dan Radke, the applicant's father, cited Cicero and Manlius as towns that allow chickens in residential areas and asked that the family be given roughly 90 days to rehome the birds if the variance were denied. Josh Frost argued that growing food at home supports sustainability and self-reliance and urged the board to think beyond this single case to future residents. Job Dickson, the applicant's son, said the chickens don't fly away and that people get used to the smell over time. Others raised objections. Cristina Constantino, who lives next door, said she is barred from having a fence and is concerned about wildlife the chickens could attract. Brenda Agundas, whose property backs up to the Dicksons', said her husband has leukemia and that she worries about disease risk given his compromised health; she also noted the boundary fence is failing. Richard Groll said he had already contacted the Town Board about the matter and had been in touch with Janet Oppenisado of Cornell Cooperative regarding chickens in residential neighborhoods; he listed early-morning noise, odor, predators and air quality among his objections. The board also received written comments on the case, some in favor and some opposed. Chairperson Vivian Mason closed the hearing but said a decision would come at a future meeting. The board's other new case drew no debate at all. Andrew Selesky, of 4014 Maider Road, sought an area variance to raise the maximum height allowed for a detached accessory structure from 25 to 27 feet, to build a barn. No one in the audience spoke for or against it, and board members had no questions. Mr. Porter moved to approve the variance conditioned on substantial compliance with Exhibit "A"; Mr. Frantzis seconded, and on a roll call Porter, Frantzis and Mason each voted in favor, carrying the motion unanimously. In old business, Northern Credit Union withdrew its application for variances at 5004-5008 Taft Road, ending that case without a vote. The board also voted unanimously, on a motion by Mason seconded by Frantzis, to treat all of the night's new actions as Type II under the New York State Environmental Quality Review process and issue negative declarations unless its attorney advised otherwise. Members postponed approval of the April 14 minutes to their June 9 meeting because of pending corrections there. Karen Liebi and Chelsea Clark were absent. The meeting, which Mason called to order at 6:00 p.m., adjourned at 6:49 p.m. The Dickson chicken case remains open. With residents on both sides already on record and the hearing closed, the board's next move will be a vote — not another round of testimony — whenever it takes the case back up.