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<br />MEMORANDUM <br /> <br /> <br />TO: Elko New Market Mayor and City Council <br /> <br />FROM: Bob Kirmis, City Planner <br /> <br />SUBJECT: Chicken Regulations <br /> <br />DATE: April 28, 2016 <br /> <br /> <br />INTRODUCTION <br /> <br />At the April 5, 2016 meeting of the Planning Commission, the Commission held a public hearing <br />to consider a draft Zoning Ordinance amendment which would allow the keeping of backyard <br />chickens in the City as an accessory to single family residential uses (in residential zoning <br />districts). <br /> <br />The public hearing represented the culmination of many months of work as discussions related to <br />the keeping of background chickens were initiated in June of 2015. The work effort included, <br />but was not limited to, a review of example ordinance, informal input from local residents and a <br />business owner, an examination of the pros and cons of the use, review of example backyard <br />chicken facilities (photographs and a video) and input from the City’s Chief of Police and Code <br />Enforcement Officer. <br /> <br />As the City Council is aware, the Elko New Market Zoning Ordinance presently limits the <br />keeping of “farm animals,” which includes chickens, to farms. In this regard, the keeping of <br />chickens in residential zoning districts would represent a change in City policy. <br /> <br />Background information related to the amendment is provided in our office’s memorandum <br />dated March 15, 2016. <br /> <br />DISCUSSION <br /> <br />Zoning District Allowance. As part of previous, informal review of the draft amendment, the <br />City Council raised question regarding the need to limit the keeping of backyard chickens to R-1 <br />Districts and lots measuring at least 12,000 square feet in size if required setbacks are satisfied. <br />In this regard, the idea of allowing the activity in R-2, Urban (Small Lot) Residential Districts <br />and upon smaller lots was indirectly raised. <br /> <br />The R-2, Urban (Small Lot) Residential District is intended to accommodate single family <br />dwelling units at a relatively dense urban scale and is applied to the Elko and New Market <br />“Original Townsite” areas. Within R-2 Districts, a minimum lot size of 10,000 square feet and a <br />minimum lot width of 50 feet is required.