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HomeMy WebLinkAbout[06] Paul Krey Chickens Planning Commission Agenda Item 6 crn' OF ST. JOSEPH MEETING DATE: August 2, 2010 AGENDA ITEM: Paul Krey, Discussion on housing Chickens in R1 Zoning District. SUBMITTED BY: Administration /Police PREVIOUS PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: None BACKGROUND INFORMATION: The Police Department became aware of a property housed 12 chickens and notified the property owner that they had to get rid of the Chickens. He was unaware of the Ordinance and would like to address the Planning Commission about allowing chickens in residential areas. I have contacted the area Cities and as to their allowance for chickens and their response is copied below. Paul Krey is the property owner with the Chickens and he will be present at the Planning Commission meeting to see if the Commission would allow such in residential areas. He stated that the website backyardchicken.org is a good reference site for information. The Planning Commission agenda has been amended to include Paul. Sartell only allows non - domestic animals in our agricultural and in our rural residential zones. Anita M. Rasmussen, AICP Planning and Community Development Director City of Sartell We define chickens as a farm animal and we only allow farm animals in areas that are zoned Ag. Todd Schultz City of Sauk Rapids Community Development Director Our ordinance does not allow an wild, undomesticated or exotic animal to remain within the City Limits. Chickens would fall under the bird category which is a species usually not domesticated. The only area that they would be permitted is in a agricultural zoning district. Bill Barber Building & Planning Coordinator City of Waite Park Matt Glaesman forwarded me your question regarding chickens. In 2009 we had a significant revision to our animal control ordinance Section 1040. There was some discussion then about requests to allow chickens in residential zones. In doing some research, yes there are some Minnesota cities that allow it. Generally they do not allow roosters due to the noise issue. We found anecdotally that many residents were also against it. Please keep in mind that animals are not only raised for their eggs. Some people may raise chickens to butcher. There is nothing in our ordinance that would prohibit butchering for oneself. I think the area deer hunters practice this seasonally in many garages. The Animal Control Task Force, Health and Housing Advisory and Appeals Committee, and City Council all voted to limit what was defined as a domestic and a non - domestic animal. It is through these definitions that poultry is only allowed in rural residential and agricultural areas. Lynn Moore of the City of Bloomington was working on an enforcement case regarding chickens owned by a particularly wealthy homeowner in their city. She might also be able to lend an interesting perspective. Please let me know if I can be of further assistance ATTACHMENTS: None REQUESTED PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: Determine whether staff should pursue researching drafting an Ordinance Amendment or if the matter should e referred to the City Council.