HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 11 - Pages from PZ Minutes 11-13-136
Haggard stated that if people wanted to use their land differently and we want to
consider that, we need to notify people.
Public comments were accepted by the Planning Commission:
Larry Weiss, 9302 Stillwater Blvd, would like to see the Friedrich property go back to
RAD.
Ed Nielson, 9498 Stillwater Blvd, feels that RAD-2 is not an appropriate zone and does
not fit the surrounding area.
Susan Dunn, 11018 Upper 33rd St, stated that she felt that RAD-2 should go away. She
noted she supports the OP Ordinance, RS and RE developments.
Steve Delapp, 8468 Lake Jane Trail, corrected the legislative history of the RAD-2 land
use category and stated that nothing north or 10th street other than the Old Village
should have this type of density.
Klatt asked the Planning Commission how they wanted to address the questions related
to the rural planning area. The Planning Commission would like to just continue to
discuss the rural areas as a whole rather than to discuss individual properties. The
Commission wanted this to come back to their next meeting.
Haggard and Kreimer both feel that there is more to discuss than just RAD and RAD-2.
They would like to see RE & RS discussed as well as other things.
Business Item: Animal Ordinance Update
Bell presented the updates to the animal ordinance. The cats and dogs section was
recently updated. Bell stated that there have been a lot of inquiries in regards to
livestock, especially chickens and bees. The trend in the metro is that people are
interested in making their own food. Currently the livestock section is in the zoning
code, but staff would like to see that moved to the animal section. Currently the code
limits the keeping of livestock to 10 acres. That is one of the questions that should be
addressed. Staff is proposing that chicken and bees would be allowed on ½ acre with a
permitting process. This seems consistent with the metro trend.
Johnson stated that a lot of communities are going the direction of allowing bees and
chickens on smaller acreage, but the staff has also gotten a lot of inquiries about the
keeping of chickens on smaller acreage.
Morreale would like to see a scale for chickens that is more in line for personal
consumption. It seems that if you can have 32 chickens on 2.5 acres that is more
commercial in nature and would create problems with waste, etc. He feels that the
Lake Elmo Planning Commission Minutes; 10-28-13
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scale is too high. Bell stated that homeowners associations might also limit some of
these things. Bell said that these were preliminary numbers and they are looking for
input.
Haggard stated that there are a lot of properties that do not have HOA’s and it could be
a problem. She also asked that with the 2 year licensing, will the staff be sending a
notice out when that license is to expire. Bell confirmed that the permitting period is
correct.
Johnson stated that this activity is already taking place and if we put in good regulations
that are followed respectfully, there should be less problems.
Lundgren stated that she likes that the education component is required for the
beekeeping.
Dodson feels that the chart is confusing and should be cleaned up. The animal units are
confusing. Bell stated that it has to do with grazeable acreage. You need a minimum of
5 acres for any livestock other than bees or chickens. Staff will work to clean up the
table. Dodson was wondering why there was a distinction between chickens and other
fowl. Bell stated that it is how other Cities have their code. The requests have been for
chickens. Also the different birds have different needs with chickens being the easiest
to care for.
Dodson asked who was able to have roosters. Bell stated that anyone over 5 acres
would be allowed to have roosters.
Updates and Concerns
Council Updates
1. Variance – 09.029.21.22.0025 (Hill Trail North) was approved at the October 15,
2013 meeting with the 2 conditions discussed at the Planning Commission
meeting.
2. Met Council 2040 Growth Forecast Discussion.
Staff Updates
1. Planning Commission has meetings upcoming on November 13th and 25th. The
meeting on 11/13/13 is on a Wednesday due to the Veterans Day holiday.
2. Discussed having finding of facts worksheets that sets out what the criteria is and
helps to formulate how to come up with your decision. Worksheets were
handed out by Planner Johnson.
Lake Elmo Planning Commission Minutes; 10-28-13