NORWICH – A public hearing will be held tonight to discuss a proposed local law that would restrict the keeping of farm animals in the City of Norwich.

The city has been working on the proposed ordinance for several months. The city has never before had an ordinance about farm animals within city limits. The animal issue has been discussed since a Sheldon Street property owner began keeping farm animals. According to residents in the area, the property owner has kept, at different times throughout the past year, cows, sheep, goats and a flock of chickens on their property.

City officials have said in the past that drawing up the ordinance was a difficult matter because the Chenango County Fairgrounds lies within the city limits. In order for the fairgrounds to continue operating in its current fashion, the property would have to be exempt from the ordinance.