2015.05.12 CC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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May 12, 201 S Page 6 of 13 to eliminate its crow. She requested that she be allowed to keep her rooster. Blaine Stephens, 720 Forest Dale Road, explained he lived on Forest Dale Road and chickens were a divisive issue. He reported there were neighbors, friends and residents that were no longer speaking because of the chickens in his neighborhood, which was very difficult for him to witness. He appreciated the Council addressing this issue and recommended that the task force's recommendation be followed. Robert Parrott, 703 Forest Dale Road, stated he was a Civil Engineer in Environmental Sciences. He discussed how water drained through the City of New Brighton noting he wanted to see Lake Forest protected as was recommended by the Rice Creek Watershed District. He commented that chicken manure was extremely bad for lakes and waterways. For that reason, chicken manure was not to be in any buffer zone. He believed that chicken owns should have yearly permits to assist with regulating the coops cleanliness and water runoff concerns. Dan Shattuck, 1497 Mississippi Street, commented he moved to New Brighton six weeks ago. He asked if the proposed Ordinance had any specific setbacks, noting he did not want chickens on his property line. He was surprised that residents in New Brighton could have chickens and supported the Council further regulating chicken keeping. Marten Fellow, 1900 Rush Lake Trail, opposed chickens in the City of New Brighton. Lori Hanson, 1660 29`t' Avenue NW, commented she and her husband did not want chickens in New Brighton. She feared how property values would be impacted if a large number of her neighbors were to keep chickens. In addition, she did not believe that the City's lot sizes were conducive to chicken keeping. Michael Tangen, 1156 Highview Drive, discussed the noise level of hens reporting at maximum they reach a level of 70 decibels. He reported that 10 hens produce .68 pounds of waste per day, which was less than one 40 -pound dog. He did not believe there was a threat for additional predators coming into the community as they were already present in the ecosystem. He stated that of the 10 healthiest real estate markets, nine allow hens. He reported there were measures that could be taken to reduce the risk for histoplasmosis. Ione Lund, 761 Forest Dale Road, commented that she lives four doors from the chickens and she found them to be very noisy. She believed that her property value would decrease and she feared for her health. For this reason she was against having chickens in the City of New Brighton. Edward Huble, 1799 201h Avenue NW, stated he grew up in California on a chicken farm. He discussed the smell that arises on a hot summer day. He feared that residents may not properly maintain their coops unless stringently regulated and licensed by the City. He supported the coops being inspected by the City as well. He did not recommend the Council allow chicken keeping in New Brighton. Matthew Benson, 1151 10th Street NW, stated he served on the Urban Farming Task Force. He did not believe it was a waste of time. He encouraged residents to come together on this issue and not be divisive. He reported that he did not want to listen to barking dogs, chickens or any other pets as this took away from the peaceful enjoyment of his property. He believed that the City could do better than Ordinance 834 in order to bring the community together on this issue. Cindy Parten, 1950 Fredeen Court, explained she grew up on the country and understood the noises and smells that went along with chickens. She stated that she moved to the City to get away from these things and did not believe the keeping of chickens should be allowed in New Brighton. She recommended that the Council go back to the drawing board to draft an Ordinance that meets the desires of the community. John Mattsen, 1859 Mississippi Street, commented that he did not own chickens, but he did not j oppose them either. He noted that he has lived next to chickens for the past four years and has had no problems or noise concerns. He recommended that the Council focus on more pertinent issues such as blight and continue to allow chickens. He suggested that the Council set video standards within its Ordinance. Cheryl Mason, 2621 Wexford Court, stated she owns chickens, but does not keep them in the