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From:Joel Hanson <br />To:Heidi Heller <br />Subject:FW: Little Canada - Code Amendment for Farm Animals <br />Date:Tuesday, September 13, 2016 11:11:27 AM <br />Please place a copy of this e-mail in the additions to the agenda. <br /> <br />From: Julie Wrase [mailto:jwrase@comcast.net] <br />Sent: Monday, September 12, 2016 7:03 PM <br />To: *LC_council; John Keis; Joel Hanson <br />Subject: Little Canada - Code Amendment for Farm Animals <br /> <br />Dear Mayor Keis, Council Members and Mr. Hanson, <br /> <br />I have lived in Little Canada for 22 years and am writing to express my opinion that the City not <br />amend the Code to allow farm animals in the City of Little Canada. I have heard that a potential <br />home buyer who is a veterinarian is requesting the Code amendment to allow her to raise twelve <br />chickens. Although she may have experience with chickens, I don’t think that her request should be <br />granted. <br /> <br />First, Little Canada is a suburban area, not agricultural, and I believe that having chickens in <br />residential areas is not appropriate. I would not want to live next to someone raising any chickens, <br />let alone twelve chickens. What would the setback requirements be for chicken coops, would <br />chickens be free range up to neighbors’ property boundaries, and how would neighbors be assured <br />that the yard would be kept clean and sanitary? <br /> <br />Second, as an attorney, I don’t think that a Code amendment could be crafted to limit chicken <br />ownership to people who are educated and knowledgeable in raising farm animals. It’s been <br />suggested that there be a permitting process that requires training for someone who wants to raise <br />chickens. Who would do the training and testing – Ramsey County Extension Service? Who would <br />cover the cost of the training and testing? And if a property owner proves to be unfit, what would <br />the City do? I don’t want to be the neighbor calling the City about unhealthy conditions, trespassing <br />by the chickens, etc. <br /> <br />Although amending the City Code to allow ownership of twelve chickens in a rural area may <br />encourage this family to move to Little Canada, it might encourage current residents who have <br />always lived in a suburban area to move away from the nuisance of having farm animals as <br />neighbors. <br /> <br />Thank you for your consideration. <br /> <br />Julie Wrase <br />636 LaBore Road <br />Little Canada, MN 55117 <br />14