2015.04.07 Worksession Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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fowl. Gundlach noted that staff could further review the definition of a fowl within the Ordinance. She encouraged the Council to consider the time period that would be allowed to bring residents into compliance with the new Ordinance. Councilmember Jacobsen stated he could support six chickens on a lot from 10,000 to 20,000 square feet. Councilmember Bauman believed that 24 chickens were too many for a lot that was 20,000 to 45,000 square feet. Councilmember Burg supported the numbers presented by staff. Councilmember Strub did not believe that decreasing the number of chickens from six to three would have much of an impact on neighbors. Councilmember Bauman explained that chickens made noise all day long and did impact neighbors, especially when laying eggs. She questioned if residents would have to register their chickens or coops with the City. Gundlach stated that the size of coops would not require a building permit and for this reason, the coops would only be inspected by the City of a complaint were brought to staff's attention. She explained that the Council could set limits within the Ordinance on how to manage complaints. Councilmember Bauman wanted to see the Ordinance include language on how to manage noise and odor complaints to keep homeowners accountable. She feared that the City had no consequences at this time. Code Enforcement Officer Hatch stated that licenses could be issued to homeowners for chickens or fowl and this license could then be revoked if not properly managed by the homeowner. Councilmember Burg commented that the number of chickens may not be an issue if licenses were issued because homeowners would have to be accountable. Councilmember Bauman asked how many times complaints would have to be made prior to the City taking action or revoking a license for chickens /fowl. Councilmember Jacobsen believed that the same steps should be taken with chicken licenses as was used with other licenses, such as rental properties, in the City. Gundlach stated that instead of waiting for complaints, another option would be for homeowners to receive signatures of support from 80% of their neighbors. She indicated this was the licensing process followed by the City of Minneapolis. Code Enforcement Officer Hatch explained that in most code enforcement issues, 95% of the time a knock on the door or a notice from the City was enough to bring the property into compliance. Mayor Jacobsen explained that the Council was finding it difficult to come to a consensus on this issue. - Councilmember Bauman expressed frustration that the peaceful enjoyment of her property would be lost if her neighbors continued to have chickens and no matter how much she complained, this would still be a problem. She recommended that the City be proactive in this situation and reactive.