Naperville council compromises on chicken therapy, cuts relocation time
The Naperville City Council has agreed to a compromise that will give the Touch My Heart chicken therapy nonprofit a year to move to a new location, reduced from the 18 months that had been proposed.
Naperville council members were presented with two options this week for how to deal with the organization, which is in violation of city ordinances because of its residential location: shut down operations or agree to temporary variances allowing Wendy and Rick Montalbano to continue while they find a new site.
The Montalbanos, who have run the nonprofit out of their 2300 Flambeau Drive home since 2021 without obtaining city approval for the variances required, were to relocate within 18 months under a proposal recommended by the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission.
They asked the council to give them two years at Tuesday night’s meeting, but now will have only one year during which time they also will have to reduce the number of chickens on their property from 17 to 12 and erect a 6-foot privacy fence around their back yard by Nov. 15.
Under the deal, visits will be limited to eight people with special needs and their caregivers from 10 a.m. to noon up to twice a week.
Neighbors who brought the situation to the city’s attention had complained about the large groups attending therapy sessions, saying they couldn’t enjoy privacy outside with so many people always in the Montalbanos’ yard.
Other complaints centered on the large number of coops set up to house the chickens and the noise the animals generated.
Councilwoman Jennifer Bruzan Taylor said she visited the property before the council meeting and was torn. While she could appreciate the positive work being done by Touch My Heart, she also could understand the neighbors’ concerns, she said.
Bruzan Taylor recommended changing the relocation time from 18 months to one year.
“You built this whole thing in one year,” Bruzan Taylor said. “You’re very proud of that. I was proud of you for that. I think with the same diligence, you can get this moved in one year.”
Resident Eric Rush, who lives to the east of the residence, said while everyone is in agreement that the organization is doing good work, the operation needs to be in a farm setting.
“My concern is what is going to be done in the long run with these sunset provisions?” Rush said. “Will they actually be enforced or delayed to further down the road?”
Rick Montalbano argued against having to reduce the number of chickens because they have a shorter lifespan than other therapy animals, require 12 to 18 months to train, and each can only interact with up to three people per visit.
He also said each chicken has its own fan club, making it difficult to decide which will be removed.
They will be speaking with the Naperville Park District soon and are meeting with other unincorporated landowners in Naperville to find a new location, Montalbano said. They would like to purchase three to four acres but the property market is limited right now, he said.
“Believe me, we don’t want to upset our neighbors or be a pain,” Montalbano said. “We want to expand even more because the need is huge.”