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Ells River Request for Action To Item Number Planning Commission 5.5 Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by Public Hearin s Aril 25, 2017 BrieAnna Simon, Planner Item Description Reviewed by City of Elk River — Ordinance Amendment Chris Leeseber , Senior Planner ■ Ordinance amendment to expand opportunities Reviewed by for the keeping of chickens in residential areas, Zack Carlton, Planning Manager Case No. OA 17-03 Action Requested Discuss the proposed regulations regarding the keeping of chickens on residential properties. Recommend, by motion, approval of the proposed Ordinance Amendment, and direct staff to make any appropriate changes. . Why is this amendment being proposed? Every year staff receives numerous calls asking if chickens are permitted within the urban service district, specifically on lot sizes less than five acres in size. The ordinance currently requires five acres of land and a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for lots within the urban service district to have chickens. Outside of the urban service district, chickens are permitted on properties less than five acres in size with a CUP. If the a property is greater than five acres in size outside of the urban service district, chickens are permitted and the number of chickens can be doubled with a CUP. On all properties within the City of Elk River, if the property lot size and required permitting is obtained, the property is permitted to have 0.01 animal units per one acres of fenced pasture land or 100 chickens per one acre of fenced pasture land. Staff brought this information to the City Council during a work session to discuss amending the ordinance, and staff was directed to look into a possible amendment. Two surveys requesting resident feedback were also posted to the city's social media pages. The results of those surveys are described below. What is the public benefit? Based on the support shown in the first survey, residents would like to see the keeping of chickens expanded to smaller lots, specifically those below 2.5 acres in size, and within the urban service district. Additionally, the survey asked questions on the number of chickens permitted, specific regulations on the keeping of chickens, and permitting requirements. This survey was open to everyone, not just residents of Elk River. After eliminating duplicates, the survey presented 256 responses with 70 percent of those surveyed in favor of permitting chickens on smaller lot sizes. Of the survey participants 71 percent said they are in favor of permitting chickens on lots below the current minimum of 5 acres. After the Planning Commission meeting on March 28, 2017, a second survey was posted to the city's social media to receive feedback on regulations specific to discussions from the first public hearing. This survey was open to everyone, not just residents of Elk River. After eliminating duplicates, the survey i 0 W I R I U 6 V 4A UO'E