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Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes <br />August 16, 2022 <br />Page 2 <br />1 Mr. Grittman reviewed a proposed amendment to the Zoning Ordinance and City Code to <br />2 address a series of inconsistencies that have been identified by the City’s Code Committee. <br />3 These changes are related to animals, natural landscapes, fences, use of public right of way, <br />4 and regulation of bus benches. <br />5 <br />6 Mr. Grittman stated concerns have been raised regarding the feeding of wild animals, and a <br />7 new section is proposed that would provide definitions for farm animals, domestic animals, <br />8 and wild animals. The proposed language has been borrowed from other local communities, <br />9 primarily Roseville and Shoreview, to provide descriptions of these categories. The City’s <br />10 Code Enforcement Officer has done significant research on this issue. <br />11 <br />12 Mr. Grittman stated the intent is to avoid nuisance and potential attraction of problematic <br />13 animals, and exemptions for specific governmental activities. <br />14 <br />15 Commissioner Rude asked whether residents will need a permit to keep bees. Mr. Grittman <br />16 stated bees fall under the same category as chickens and would require City Council approval. <br />17 He added bees are allowed in some communities. He noted bees are currently in the <br />18 prohibited farm animal category, but that can be amended. <br />19 <br />20 Chair Socha stated keeping of chickens is popular and on the rise. She added it seems <br />21 onerous for every chicken request to go to the City Council and could be an administrative <br />22 item for review by City Staff, unless there is an objection from a neighbor. <br />23 <br />24 Mr. Gittman stated chicken permits are addressed on the City Council’s Consent Agenda, as <br />25 the City Council likes to know what is going on in the community. He added, however, <br />26 similar items may not necessarily require City Council approval. <br />27 <br />28 Commissioner Kuykendall asked how exotic animals are classified. Mr. Grittman stated they <br />29 are classified as wild animals. <br />30 <br />31 Commissioner Erickson stated keeping of chickens is a relatively new practice, and City <br />32 Council approval seems appropriate. Commissioner Rude agreed. <br />33 <br />34 Commissioner Erickson requested clarification regarding where chicken allowances are <br />35 located. Mr. Grittman confirmed that is under Section 91.56. <br />36 <br />37 Commissioner Rude stated, under 91.56, under the conclusion of “Fowl”, the interpreting <br />38 statutes are out of place. Mr. Grittman agreed to address that issue. <br />39 <br />40 Chair Socha stated the City Council could be given the opportunity to delegate approval to <br />41 City Staff. Commissioner Morita stated that would assume there is an issue with having the <br />42 permit addressed by City Council. Chair Socha agreed. <br />43 <br />44 Commissioner Rude stated, with regard to 91.57, Feeding, some people feed squirrels, and <br />45 that is not allowed under Statute. He added he would support leaving it the way it us. <br />46 Commissioner Morita agreed.