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Mounds View City Council April 8, 2024 <br />Regular Meeting Page 2 <br /> <br /> <br />Sharon Kirscher, 8406 Red Oak Drive, thanked the City for their hard work on the Tribute Park. <br />She requested action on this item be held off until the park report could be further studied. <br /> <br />8. COUNCIL BUSINESS <br />A. PUBLIC HEARING: Resolution 9898, Approving a Chicken-Keeping License <br />for Jeffrey Hedstrom, 7748 Woodlawn Drive. <br /> <br />City Administrator Zikmund requested the Council consider approving a chicken-keeping license <br />for Jeffery Hedstrom at 7748 Woodlawn Drive. He explained all necessary paperwork was <br />submitted to the City and staff recommended approval. <br /> <br />Mayor Lindstrom opened the public hearing at 6:09 p.m. <br /> <br />Maxine Smedshammer, 7730 Pulner Road, explained she grew up on a farm and was familiar with <br />raising animals. She questioned if a standard sized lot was required to keep chickens. She asked <br />why six hens were not recommended as was done in other communities. She inquired if the City <br />had requirements when it came to the size of the chicken coop and asked if a fenced outdoor space <br />was required for the hens. She recommended the fenced area be covered to protect the hens from <br />flying pests. She questioned if the City had other animal ordinances in place that would allow for <br />goats or horses. She asked of the houses on this block could have chickens. She expressed concern <br />with the number of wild animals in her neighborhood, which included fox and coyotes. She stated <br />she was concerned for the welfare of the chickens given the number of predators in the <br />neighborhood. She indicated she was not in favor of residents of Mounds View keeping chickens, <br />given the size of the lots in the community. <br /> <br />Jeffrey Hedstrom, 7748 Woodlawn Drive, reported he had an outside pen and he was following <br />all of the City’s requirements that was completely covered and contained. He explained he would <br />be having the hens for personal use. He indicated his backyard had a six foot fence in place. <br /> <br />Hearing no further public input, Mayor Lindstrom closed the public hearing at 6:15 p.m. <br /> <br />Mayor Lindstrom responded to Ms. Smedshammer’s questions noting the City did not have a lot <br />size requirement in place for chicken keeping. He indicated the City has allowed up to 12 chickens <br />after receiving a request from a community member. He noted this number has not been a concern. <br />He stated he has found the neighbors have embraced the residents who keep these animals. He <br />explained the City does have requirements for coop size and the run. He indicated all of the <br />neighbors on the street could keep chickens. <br /> <br />Council Member Meehlhause commented there is no requirement in the Ordinance related to lot <br />size, but there are requirements related to how far the coop had to be from property lines. City <br />Administrator Zikmund stated coops had to be 20 feet from property lines. <br /> <br />Mr. Hedstrom explained his coop was 20 feet from the north property line and 60 feet from the <br />west property line. He asked the Council if the chickens could free range in his backyard given the <br />fact his backyard was fully fenced.