OLEAN — Aldermen decided to take the debate over a family’s backyard dairy goat to the public arena, scheduling a public hearing Tuesday on a resolution to make a one-year exception in the city ban on confining certain animals.

The controversy has been swirling around a 4-month-old La Mancha dairy goat since a city code enforcement officer discovered it last April in the backyard of Cheryl Zeigler at 317 Genesee St.

Ward 1 Alderman Earl McElfresh lives on the same street and, despite orders from the mayor for its immediate removal and then a code officer’s order to suspend enforcement pending a council decision, he took up Zeigler’s cause and asked the aldermen to make an exception.

Jenna Wagner, who fed her first child goat’s milk and is pregnant with her second child, was given the goat while living at the home owned by Zeigler, her mother. Ziegler said at first they weren’t aware that goats are prohibited in the city but simply thought they needed to obtain a variance. In the meantime, the goat is tethered on a 25-foot lead line, foraging in the backyard shared by a flock of 12 chickens. The women said the goat is quiet and is easier to care for than a dog, noting there are no problems with manure management because the droppings just “go into the ground like a deer’s.”

The women produced a petition of support from almost 40 neighbors and said that despite the fact Boardmanville Elementary School is adjacent to the yard there have been no complaints and only a maintenance man came out to look.

But Monica Nenno, of 307 Genesee St., said that she objects to the goat’s presence and that some of her neighbors agree.

“I believe if you open this up to any kind of variance, then any kind of animal will be permitted. Who will monitor this, and what will happen at the end of a year, will the baby stop needing milk?” said Nenno, adding she does not want to live in a farm community and pays higher taxes to live in a city.

McElfresh, one of the five aldermen who voted to send the resolution out of the Public Safety Committee on Tuesday, asked for an exception and said the issue is a chance for the aldermen to be “warm and friendly and understanding.”

Ray Wangelin, Ward 3, has said he would support making the exception for goats and also voted with McElfresh. He read an ad from the newspaper seeking a new home for a 10-foot boa constrictor and reminded the aldermen that horses are also allowed in the city.

But Jim Finch of Ward 5 and Rick Smith of Ward 6 both said they intend to vote against amending the codes, saying the move would “open a can of worms” and invite others to ask for permission to confine animals in residential areas.

Linda Edstrom, Ward 4; Frank Steffen, Ward 7; and Mike Kayes, Ward 2, said they would support sending the resolution out of committee, but only to hold the public hearing. Kayes raised the question of whether a licensing procedure and fees, such as the kind required under the state agricultural laws, would be required for those who wish to keep goats.

The hearing will be held at 6 p. m. Tuesday in the Council Chambers in the Municipal Building.