HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015.04.23 PC MinutesMinutes for the Planning Commission Meeting of April 23, 2015
Vice Chair, Kleissler called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.
PRESENT: Arcand, Kleissler, Knauss, Lessard, Rosenquist
ABSENT: Gwynn, McRoberts
STAFF: Rachel Juba, Planner
Rachel Leitz, Community Development Intern
Approval of Minutes for the Piannin2 Commission Meeting of April 9, 2015
Commissioner Knauss added a correction that she needed to be added to the list of
commissioners present at the April 9, 2015 meeting.
Commissioner Arcand made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Rosenquist, to approve
minutes for the meeting of April 9, 2015.
All Ayes. Motion carried.
Lessard abstained.
Zoning Ordinance Text Amendments
Community Development Intern, Rachel Leitz, discussed that on the March 2, 2015 City Council
meeting, the Council authorized zoning ordinance text amendments related to inconsistencies
within the City Code to be reviewed by the Ordinance Review Committee (ORC).
Leitz described that the ORC meetings have been related to cleaning up the zoning districts and
performance standards sections within the City Code and a revision within the livestock and
poultry performance standard. She stated that these changes are being proposed because Staff
have noticed, through different projects, applications, and requests, that some areas of the Code
had inconsistencies and required updating. She said that the City has also been receiving more
inquiries about the allowance of a small amount of chickens on properties less than 5 in the rural
areas of the City.
She stated that the proposed text amendments are related to both the zoning districts and the
performance standards. The zoning district regulations and performance standards are
connected, as they refer to each other. Leitz also described that the text amendments to
performance standards mostly surround language that needs to be updated to refer to current
zoning districts and other changes to generally make the Code easier to understand.
Leitz then discussed some examples of the proposed text amendments.
Next, Leitz presented on the text amendments to the livestock and poultry ordinance
performance standard. She stated that the City has been receiving more inquiries into the
allowance of a small amount of chickens on properties less than 5 acres in size, in the rural areas
of the City. The ORC believes in the rural areas of the City (LA, AG, RR, & FUS) the character
holds itself as an area where a small amount of chickens should be allowed. The ORC
recommended allowing five chickens, except roosters, to be kept and maintained in the rural
areas (LA, AG, RR, & FUS) on properties less than 5 acres. The ORC agreed to allow the
ordinance to stay the same for properties larger than five acres in these specific zoning districts.
Commissioner Arcand stated that Staff needs to clarify, in the language used, that there will be
no roosters allowed on parcels less than 5 acres in these defined zoning districts.
Commissioner Knauss expressed that there may need to be a limited lot size for parcels in these
areas to have chickens.
Planner Juba stated that the ORC had agreed that the rural area, as a whole, has a certain
character that would be conducive to the keeping and maintaining of chickens. She stated that
there are very few parcels in these zoning districts that are less than an acre. Juba also stated that
there are now requirements for minimum lot sizes in these zoning districts, limiting the minimum
lot size to 10 acres.
Knauss stated that after hearing this information, she was comfortable with allowing chickens on
parcels less than five acres, without any minimum lot size.
Vice Chair, Kleissler, opened the public hearing.
Deb Barnes, 6491 132nd St. N., approached the podium. She stated that she appreciates the
Commission hearing and taking interest in these proposals, especially related to changing the
number of chickens allowed on properties less than five acres in the rural area. Barnes described
that she has lived in the rural area for some time, now, and believes allowing chickens on smaller
properties would be complimentary to the character of the area. She believes that it is a good
time to be looking at this ordinance, as many cities in the surrounding area are doing the same.
Barnes said that people are caring more about where their food comes from. She stated that if
these changes are approved, she would be excited to live a more sustainable life and be
responsible for producing some of her own food.
Vice Chair, Kleissler, closed public hearing.
Rosenquist made a motion, seconded by Arcand, to approve all zoning ordinance text
amendments.
All Ayes. Motion carried.
Adjournment
Rosenquist motioned, Lessard seconded, to adjourn at 7:24 p.m.
All Ayes. Motion carried.
Respectfully Submitted,
Rachel Leitz, Community Development Intern