CHAMPION — A residential neighborhood is dealing with free-roaming chickens that have taken to roosting on parked cars, commandeering front porches, strutting down sidewalks and leaving their unwelcome “deposits” across neighborhood yards.

Township trustees at their meeting Tuesday said they have heard from residents regarding chickens roaming on Clearview Avenue.

Trustee Chairman Doug Emerine said while there are guidelines on chickens and other poultry in zoning codes that were approved in 2007, he said there were properties in the township that were grandfathered in since they had chickens prior to the zoning codes.

He said the property on Clearview Avenue is one of those grandfathered properties.

Emerine told residents that while it is frustrating to deal with chickens on their properties, it is a civil matter.

“I understand how frustrating it must be to have free-ranging chickens everywhere. Call the police so there can be a record of the problem,” he said.

Emerine said chickens and other poultry on properties have been an issue.

“You would be shocked how many people have chickens in our township,” he said.

Chickens are not permitted on properties of less than an acre and subdivision areas. Emerine said residents need to keep chickens, dogs, cats and other animals on their own property.

“Your pets need to stay on your own property. This is a responsibility issue,” Emerine said.

He said it is irresponsible for someone to let their chickens or other animals off their properties.

Emerine said when his family lived on Craig Avenue, he remembers a nearby property owner who had geese, which were very loud and had a strong odor.

Residents said there was a chicken coop at one time at the Clearview Avenue property.

Melissa Palmer, a Realtor, said she has had to deal with problems with the property on Clearview Avenue.

DATA CENTERS

In other business, trustees heard from resident Silas Dozier, who said he is concerned about a data center ever locating in the township. He said there needs to be something in the zoning codes to address them before companies seek to locate one in Champion.

Trustee Tom Jeffers said he attended a recent meeting of the county planning commission, which is working on information on data centers and ways to put restrictions on them.

Trustee Rick York said he is not in favor of data centers.

Emerine said people have asked him about the former Copperweld property and said there are no plans for any business to be there, but he would like to see it become “a tax-producing property.”

Also Tuesday, trustees received a reimbursable Ohio Department of Natural Resources grant of $45,989 with the local share of $15,329 for senior exercise stations. A NatureWorks acknowledgement sign will be posted.

In other business, trustees:

• Announced they will meet at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday on health care cost containment with Oswald Company.

• Announced they will meet at 11 a.m. May 1 with Bristol and Warren township officials over an emergency medical service mutual aid fee for Champion to go to another community.

• Approved Champion boys soccer to use the central soccer field.

• Set a scrap tire cleanup for May 9.