06-09-25 WS - Laserfiche WebLink

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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION — JUNE 9, 2025 12 E. Chickens and Ducks Discussion City Administrator Jagoe said this item was discussed at the May 12 work session. Council asked Staff to bring back the Chicken ordinance for discussion and include discussion on ducks. She provided the current ordinance on keeping chickens. Currently there is one valid Chicken License in Arden Hills. There is additional information on the keeping of ducks included in the packet. There were a couple communities that have language looking at ducks as fowl. Staff is seeking direction on changes to the Chicken Ordinance or on the keeping of ducks. Councilmember Weber has a list of items he would like to address. He said we currently allow a maximum of three hens. He would like it to be six. Still no roosters. The current permit requirement is a fee by resolution and 100% consent by the neighbor, he would like to see it be an annual permit with a $15.00 fee that could cover all birds. He thinks the reading requirement is biased and he would recommend using the U of M Extension materials. He thinks the lot minimum size is redundant and there shouldn't be a minimum. It should be dictated by setbacks. The allowed coop size is currently 12-25 square feet. He would support a mandatory minimum coop size of 20 square feet. The run and pen size is currently 10 square feet. He agrees with that. The exercise yard is currently 174 square feet per bird. U of M Extension suggests that an exercise yard should be optional. He agrees. The current temperature requirement is to keep it at 45-85 degrees. U of M does not have a recommendation to manage that. They suggest proper insulation and recommend certain breeds. Mayor Grant asked if he is suggesting we remove the temperature requirement. Councilmember Weber confirmed. No requirements outside of coop design, to include insulation. Recommend hearty breeds of birds. Councilmember Holden said we wouldn't require a light bulb or anything, when it's 45 degrees below zero because the U of M says that's fine? Councilmember Weber said the U of M does recommend a bulb. Our ordinance specifies a temperature range, which is hard to enforce. The ordinance says the coop must be removed within 60 days of discontinuing keeping chickens and it's not allowed to be used for storage. He thinks it should be allowed, if there is an additional accessory unit available for the property and the structure is in good enough condition. The current ordinance requires a 6' solid fence with 6' year-round vegetation. He recommends predator -safe fencing with no visual screen mandate. Mayor Grant asked if he agrees with the 6' height requirement. Councilmember Weber thinks the height is okay, but currently only a wood privacy fence is allowed, he would like residents to have the option to use chain link. Councilmember Monson said when he's talking about visual screening, they still need to be fenced in. Councilmember Weber confirmed. Predator safe fencing is 6'. Mayor Grant isn't sure if chain link fence is predator proof.