2015.05.12 CC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

May 12, 2015 Page 7 of 13 City. Her chickens were kept at her sister's home on five acres of land. While she loved her chickens, she did not believe they were a good fit in New Brighton. She did not believe her neighbors would support her chickens given the size of her small yard. She was in favor of an Ordinance being approved, but suggested the maximum number of fowl allowed be reduced to four. She feared how neighborhoods would fare if 18 chickens were allowed on each residential lot. She discussed the amount of work it took to clean up after chickens. It was her opinion that the proposed Ordinance was out of balance considering the City's lot size. Margaret Adelsman, 737 Forest Dale Road, discussed the challenges of having her neighbors at this meeting. She indicated there was a lot of tension and discord in her neighborhood. She was grateful that an Ordinance was being considered to provide rules and regulations with regard to chicken keeping. She discussed the noises that were generated by the chickens and rooster in her neighborhood. She recommended that the Council take this issue seriously in order to create some sort of balance. She did not believe that residents needed 18 chickens to sustain their household. She suggested that the number of chickens be reconsidered to more closely align with neighboring con u°nunities. Mark Reker, 2950 18 Street NW, noted he sent an email to the Council. He opposed chickens and further agriculture in New Brighton given the lot sizes in the City. He encouraged the Council draw a clear line on this issue. Don Cable, 2036 29th Avenue NW, reported he has lived in the City for 42 years. He discussed the work he has done on his home. He did not want to see his property value impacted after chickens are allowed in his neighborhood. He feared the City would be sued if property values were to decline. Riley O'Neill, 2120 Long Lake Road, stated he and his mother have had chickens for the past four years with no issue. He did not believe that property values surrounding his home have been adversely impacted by his chickens. He explained that he has 14 chickens at this time and losing even one of them would be a catastrophic loss. He requested that the Council allow chicken keeping to continue as is. Jennifer Benson, 1151 10th Street NW, commented she sent an email to the Council prior to the meeting. She found the flyer regarding chickens that was circulated in the community to be hurtful. She hoped that the Council could find a compromise on this issue. She questioned if she should continue living in New Brighton given the narrow minds and bullying tactics that were taking place. Chris Pichner, 2072 Thorndale Avenue, stated he moved to New Brighton a year and a half ago. He indicated he has had no issues with his neighbors or their chickens. He discussed the wildlife in his neighborhood noting it would be present with or without the chickens. He supported the proposed number of chickens as recommended by staff in Ordinance 834. Jess Durrant, 772 Torchwood Court, noted she has lived in the City for the past four years. She explained that she moved to this City because she could have chickens. She commented that her property value has increased since purchasing the home. She noted that she grew up on a hobby farm in central Minnesota and she appreciated what she could teach her children from her garden and chickens. She was surprised that the City had no regulations in place regarding chicken keeping and encouraged the Council to adopt regulations less restrictive than were being proposed in Ordinance 834. Brad Martinson, 1928 29th Avenue NW, indicated he has lived in New Brighton since 1983. He discussed his volunteer work with the City and stated he was surprised that the City had no Ordinance in place that regulated chickens. He did not believe chickens belonged in a suburban community. He feared how he would be impacted if each of his neighbors were allowed to have eight chickens. Richard Freimuth, 535 Redwood Lane, commented he moved into New Brighton in 1976. He has been quite pleased with the community and its schools. He feared that both sides of the issue was not being fully considered by the Council. He encouraged the City to add enforcement and control measures within the proposed Ordinance.