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Rn•INEW <br /> 1U BRIGHTON <br /> building tomorrow today <br /> Council Worksession <br /> September 7, 2021 <br /> 5:00 pm <br /> Present: Mayor Kari Niedfeldt-Thomas <br /> Councilmember Abdullahi Abdulle <br /> Councilmember Graeme Allen <br /> Councilmember Pam Axberg <br /> Councilmember Emily Dunsworth <br /> Absent: <br /> Staff in Attendance: Devin Massopust, Ben Gozola, Craig Schlichting, Brenda Davitt <br /> Guests in Attendance: <br /> Discuss Request for Changes to Chapter 6 of City Code <br /> Massopust explained staff received a request from a resident that a process be put in place to allow for the <br /> keeping of more fowl than was currently allowed per City Code. He noted this resident/property owner was <br /> currently in compliance with City Code. <br /> Gozola provided the council with a history on the City's chicken keeping ordinance noting a task force was <br /> appointed in 2013 to address this matter. The arguments for both sides of the issue were discussed in further <br /> detail. The end results were reviewed noting on May 26, 2014 a draft ordinance was approved to allow for a <br /> range of chickens. The number of complaints the City has received since 2014 was discussed. He was of the <br /> opinion the current regulations have been working well. The options available to the council to address the new <br /> request were to do nothing, to create an SUP for additional chicken allowances, to set variance standards for <br /> additional chicken allowances and to reopen the ordinance for discussion and amendments. Staff <br /> recommended the Council take no action at this time. <br /> Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas questioned what neighboring cities were doing with respect to chickens. Gozola <br /> discussed what neighboring communities allowed with respect to chickens. <br /> Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas asked when was the last time the City of New Brighton had active farming activities. <br /> Gozola estimated this would date back to the mid-1970's. <br /> Councilmember Dunsworth inquired how many households in New Brighton have chickens. Gozola indicated <br /> there he knew there were at least 23 homes at this time. <br /> Councilmember Dunsworth was of the opinion the current code was working as is and should not be changed. <br /> Councilmember Allen questioned what additional work would be needed to increase the number of fowl <br /> allowed. Massopust stated an increase to the number would not create additional work, but if the parameters <br /> were changed, this would require additional work and training. Gozola discussed how allowing one resident <br /> eight fowl could impact other residents that are only allowed to have six. <br />