6.8 PCSR 03-28-2017 - Laserfiche WebLink

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E lls River` Request for Action To Item Number Planning Commission 6.8 Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by Public Hearings March 28, 2017 BrieAnna Simon, Planner Item Description Reviewed by City of Elk River — Ordinance Amendment Chris Leeseber , Senior Planner Reviewed by ■ Ordinance amendment to expand opportunities for the keeping of chickens in residential areas, Zack Carlton, Planning Manager Case No. OA 17 -03 Action Requested Recommend, by motion, approval of the Ordinance Amendment as proposed. 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 Conditional Use Permit. 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. A survey requesting resident feedback was also posted to the city's social media page. The results of that survey are described below, but there is support for allowing chickens on properties of all sizes. What is the public benefit? Based on the support shown in the survey, a majority of 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 to allow, 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 89 percent lived in the City of Elk River, of which 71 percent said they are in favor of permitting chickens on smaller lot sizes. The proposed amendment expands opportunities for the keeping of chickens, and includes regulations intended to reduce impacts to neighboring properties. iawERfu sr 4A UO'E