09-03-25 PC Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – August 6, 2025 2 continued at the June 30 Special Work Session. Staff prepared a redlined version of the Keeping of Chickens ordinance with the amendments discussed and generally agreed upon by the Council. At the June 30 Special Work Session, the Council discussed additional items to be incorporated into the redlined ordinance, such as setbacks, number of accessory structures including a coop, fencing/screening, cleaning standards, and leg banding requirements. Senior Planner Fransen explained the City Council’s intent with the revisions to the keeping of chickens ordinance was to keep the code language consistent with best practices. The current ordinance language solely references Recommendations of Municipal Regulation of Urban Chickens. Council discussed several regulations from the University of Minnesota Extension on Raising chickens for eggs. Direction was given to incorporate some of those recommendations into the current ordinance as well as having staff create a handout that refers to both of these resources as part of the City’s licensing requirements for the Keeping of Chickens. The drafted ordinance amendment incorporates these suggested revisions. Senior Planner Fransen provided an overview of the ordinance amendments and offered the Findings of Fact for review: 1. The City of Arden Hills is proposing to amend ordinance language for the keeping of chickens. 2. The proposed ordinance will include amendments to the language of Chapter 13 – Zoning Code of the City Code. 3. Amendments to the Zoning Code regulations require a public hearing prior to action by the City Council. Senior Planner Fransen stated staff recommends approval of, based on the findings of fact and as presented in the August 6, 2025 Report to the Planning Commission. Senior Planner Fransen reviewed the options available to the Planning Commission for Planning Case 25-007 for Ordinance Amendments to Zoning Code Section 1325.07, Subd. 6.A and City Code Section 410.01, Subd. 3 regarding the Keeping of Chickens: 1. Recommend Approval as Written 2. Recommend Approval with Amendments 3. Recommend Denial 4. Table Chair Collins opened the floor to Commissioner comments. Commissioner Jacobson stated she believed staff and the Council had taken a thorough look at this topic. She indicated she lived on a nonconforming corner lot and suggested language added to the ordinance to address nonconforming lots. Senior Planner Fransen was of the opinion there were elements within the ordinance that would address unique properties and staff would be willing to have conversations with residents on how to address how the ordinance applied to their lot. City Administrator Jagoe reported nonconforming and corner lots would still be eligible for chickens just subject to the ordinance language.