10-11-2023 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL OCTOBER 11, 2023 Friday News Update. She stated that as people responded, the second survey was sent on a rolling basis. Mayor Fischer commented that there is not a statistically significant meaning from the survey, but it does show there is passion and good input was received. The Community Development Director reviewed the draft ordinance including some additional changes that have been recommended. She reviewed the administrative tasks that would be associated with this process. She provided an overview of the comments from the Planning Commission and asked the Council to consider the ordinance amendment. Mayor Fischer opened the public hearing for comments from the general public. Erik Thorne, 325 Eli Road, commented that he was raised on a farm. He noted that slaughter is not allowed but explained that chickens get old and are meant to be eaten. He agreed that roosters should not be allowed. Rocky Waite, 2651 Lake Shore Avenue, commented on the turkeys that have been quarantined and that will be killed because of avian flu. He asked the type of housing that would be required for chickens and why chickens are wanted in the backyard. He noted that you would have chickens near a swimming pool. He commented that chickens carry disease and are prey to the predators in the area. He commented on the process for harvesting chickens. He also expressed concern with chicken manure and the diseases that smell that spreads. He believed that if people want to keep chickens, the coops should be placed directly against the person's home to contain those issues. He did not see a reason chickens are needed in Little Canada when people can purchase eggs from the grocery store or farmers market. He stated that when he lived on a farm it was recommended that a veterinarian visit multiple times per year to ensure the coops are clean. Tonya Weigel, 2613 Edgerton Street, asked if there would be a required setback for the cook and run from a lake. She had concern with the manure runoff into the water. Helen Martin, 193 Burke Lane, commented that she plans to do a lot of research before purchasing her chickens. She noted that Roseville has no regulations and also has no complaints. She noted that even in communities that allow chickens, there are relatively low numbers of residents keeping chickens. She stated that those that are keeping chickens are interested in doing a good job because it is a costly endeavor. She did not believe that coops need to be heated, as the coops are small, and the body heat of the chickens heat the coop sufficiently. She stated that if culling were not allowed, people would still figure out what to do with a chicken that needed to be culled. She commented that a coop would not be too large, while the run may be larger/longer to allow the chickens more space and protection from predators. Mayor Fischer commented that most of the people that want to have chickens are going to do the right thing and invest the money to make that happen, but the City has a responsibility to be cognizant of neighbors and those people that may keep chickens and fall behind. He explained that the ordinance needs to be written in a manner that provides that enforcement process. 3