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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL – SEPTEMBER 27, 2021 5 With no one coming forward to speak, Mayor Grant closed the public hearing at 7:27 p.m. D. Planning Case 20-022 – Zoning Code Amendment – Chapter 13 – Section 1325.07, Subd. 6A – Keeping of Chickens Senior Planner Jagoe stated starting in 2020, the City Council began discussions on ordinance language with regards to the keeping of chickens in Arden Hills. A survey was conducted in November 2020 to garner input from residents on the relaxation of standards for the keeping of chickens. Those survey results were presented to the City Council at a work session in January. Staff was provided guidance on general parameters for consideration of a proposed chickens ordinance. That draft language was reviewed by the City Council at two work sessions on July 12th and July 26th, 2021. Senior Planner Jagoe reported in preparing the draft ordinance language, the City deferred to the document that is used by a number of adjacent communities titled “Recommendations for Municipal Regulation of Urban Chickens”. This guide was the basis for development of ordinance standards and best practices for licensing requirements. Similar to the Cities of Stillwater and Falcon Heights, the proposed language includes a requirement that a resident who intends to keep chickens shall have read the document outlining best care practices. At the July 26th special work session, Staff was directed to bring forward the proposed ordinance to the Planning Commission in September for the first review and to hold a public hearing to receive public comment on the keeping of chickens. Staff discussed the Ordinance amendments in further detail and requested the Council hold a Public Hearing. Mayor Grant suggested the language within Subd. 6, Item D be reconsidered to address both single and double car detached garages. Councilmember McClung commented on the email he received from a property owner in the southwestern end of the City. He explained he supported keeping coop and detached structures under the 728 square feet. Mayor Grant opened the public hearing at 7:33 p.m. Mike Loosbrock, 4535 Lakeshore Place, discussed the proposed Ordinance amendments. He noted he and his wife did not make the Tuesday, September 8 Planning Commission meeting because it was the first day of school. He addressed the number of chickens that would be allowed. He noted chickens were a flock animal and he believed three chickens was too low of a number. He indicated the number of birds also assisted in keeping the birds warm during the winter months. He commented further on how egg production ebbs and flows during the winter months and with only three birds this would not provide very many eggs. He encouraged the City to reconsider having a maximum of eight birds. He proposed the language for the coop size be set with a minimum per bird (four square feet). He discussed the proposed temperature requirements and stated they were not practical. He noted chickens were cold hardy animals and noted supplemental heat was only needed to keep the eggs from freezing. He commented on how important it was to properly ventilate the coops, especially in the winter months. He believed it was onerous to require neighbor consent, especially given the strict rules that were in place for the keeping of chickens. He discussed the screening requirements and noted some neighbors may