LEWISTON — Chickens have no place in a city the size of Lewiston, according to Philip Nelson, of 7 Russell St.

“Chickens belong on a farm, and we don’t need a farm in the neighborhood,” Nelson told councilors Tuesday. “They attract rats, they attract pests and if you’ve ever lived around them, you know you don’t want chickens around you.”

Lewiston’s Planning Board agreed with Nelson, voting at the Aug. 24 meeting to recommend against changing city zoning rules to let residents keep the birds for their own purposes.

Councilors Tuesday heard from Nelson and another resident, Richard Grandmaison of 51 Jean St., arguing against keeping the birds. Then, they agreed to pass the question along to joint Lewiston-Auburn health committee.

“I just want hear what they have to say,” Councilor Robert Reed said. “I think it’s appropriate to hear what they have to say.”

The Portland City Council voted in February to lift its chickens-in-the-city ban and let residents keep up to six hens — no crowing roosters — per family, for a $25 registration fee. Both Falmouth and South Portland lifted similar bans in 2007 and 2008.

The birds are welcome in all of Auburn’s zones, as long as they’re being raised for personal use.

Lewiston’s ordinances don’t allow chickens anywhere other than on dedicated farms. Councilors agreed to consider changes in May, and sent the matter to the Planning Board for review in June.

The Planning Board recommended against the change, saying that it would be a public health concern and said Lewiston’s staff would have a difficult time enforcing it. A group of 20 residents, from the Jean and Owen streets, signed a petition urging councilors to not allow the birds.

Acting City Administrator Phil Nadeau said the health committee is scheduled to meet Thursday, but the chicken rules are not on its agenda. He said the committee would take it up at a future meeting.

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