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it ci <br />Elk* <br />River <br />Request for Action <br />To <br />Item Number <br />Mayor and City Council <br />7.2 <br />Agenda Section <br />Meeting Date <br />Prepared by <br />Public Hearings <br />January 19, 2021 <br />Chris Leeseberg, Senior Planner <br />Item Description <br />Reviewed by <br />Ordinance Amendment: Allow Keeping of <br />Zack Carlton, Planning Manager <br />Chickens on Residential Lots Greater than One <br />Reviewed by <br />Acre <br />Cal Portner, City Administrator <br />Action Requested <br />Recommend, by motion, denial of the proposed ordinance amendment. <br />Background/Discussion <br />In 2017, the city drafted an ordinance to expand opportunities for the keeping of chickens on residential parcels. <br />Currently, chickens are only allowed on residential lots 2 1/2 acres or larger. Since adoption of the ordinance the <br />city has received requests to allow chickens on lots less than 2 1/2 acres in size. The Council discussed this during a <br />work session and directed staff to draft an ordinance amendment allowing the keeping of chickens on residential <br />lots 1 acre or larger for consideration by the Planning Commission. <br />The number of chickens, allowed under the proposed ordinance reviewed by the Planning Commission, are as <br />follows: <br />Lot Size in acres Chickens (roosters may be allowed with a CUP) <br />1 < 2 1/2 6 <br />2 1/2 < 5 12 <br />5 and larger Follow ag animal regulations - Section 30-803 (e) <br />Roosters would continue to be allowed only on lots 2'/2 acres or larger with a Conditional Use Permit. <br />Planning Commission <br />The Planning Commission recommended denial of the request by a 5-2 vote. <br />Reasons in favor: <br />■ Homeowner associations or covenants that already prevent residents from keeping agricultural animals. <br />Numerous neighborhoods are not going to be impacted by this amendment because of parameters in place <br />to prevent this type of activity. <br />Reasons against: <br />■ Anyone who wants to keep chickens would not move into the city to keep them. <br />Tbis type of farm animal is best on a lot larger than 2.5 acres to avoid interfering with neighbors. <br />■ Chickens will attract other animals to come into the neighborhood, especially in smaller areas. <br />The Elk River Vision P I I E I E U I i <br />A welcoming community with revolutionary and spirited resourcefulness, exceptional [NATURE] <br />service, and community engagement that encourages and inspires prosperity. Updated. August 2020 <br />