Laserfiche WebLink
Planning Commission Page 3 <br /> December 22,2020 <br /> ----------------------------- <br /> and he has not received any complaints for under 1-acre parcels keeping chickens. <br /> He stated he has not had any complaints on those parcels over 2.5 acres. <br /> Chair Larson-Vito opened the public hearing. <br /> There being no one to speak, Chair Larson-Vito closed the public hearing. <br /> Commissioner Jordan stated his views on the keeping of chickens in residential <br /> neighborhoods will remain consistent and he is opposed to this amendment. He felt <br /> anyone who wanted to keep chickens would not move into the city to keep them. He <br /> had similar concerns with lot creep and in the future, the request will be for lots <br /> under an acre,which concerns him a lot. He felt a large portion of Elk River is rural <br /> and there are mechanisms in place for larger rural lots, noting it was not about lot <br /> size but lot location. He stated he is not sure if this is the right amendment to move <br /> forward. <br /> Commissioner Johnson stated he is in favor of the proposed ordinance amendment. <br /> He noted the neighborhoods with homeowner associations or covenants that already <br /> prevent residents from keeping agricultural animals. He stated numerous <br /> neighborhoods are not going to be impacted by this amendment because of <br /> parameters in place to prevent this type of activity. <br /> Commissioner Thiel stated he would not support the amendment as written, <br /> agreeing with Commissioner Jordan's comments. He felt it was more appropriate for <br /> this type of farm animal on a lot larger than 2.5 acres to avoid interfering with <br /> neighbors. <br /> Commissioner Rydberg stated he agreed with Commissioner Jordan as well and felt <br /> the chickens will attract other animals to come into the neighborhood, especially in <br /> smaller areas. He stated he felt 1.5. to 2 acres is enough area but not 1 acre lots. He <br /> felt an urban setting was just too small. He expressed concerns with requests for <br /> other animals like rabbits and dogs will also come forward. <br /> Chair Larson-Vito agreed with the others and their comments. She asked if it was a <br /> miscommunication to not be included in the work session discussion with the City <br /> Council, noting when the original ordinance was drafted in 2017, the Planning <br /> Commission spent months reviewing this ordinance. She asked how many requests <br /> staff received for an ordinance amendment and if it was enough to offset the <br /> completed survey. <br /> Mr. Carlton stated staff received about a half dozen requests. He stated the public <br /> participation survey that was done in 2017 was extensive and noted most of the <br /> survey respondents were comfortable with one acre and above. He stated they could <br /> send out another survey to gauge the public's interest over the holidays if the <br /> Planning Commission so chose. <br /> Chair Larson-Vito stated about five properties in her neighborhood have chicken <br /> coops and this time of year,they are very visible and makes the properties appear <br /> PUNEREUO RE IY <br /> ��JARf' <br />