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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – September 3, 2025 13 Senior Planner Fransen reviewed the options available to the Planning Commission on 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, based on the findings of fact and as presented in the September 3, 2025 Report to the Planning Commission: 1. Recommend Approval as Submitted 2. Recommend Approval with Amendments 3. Recommend Denial 4. Table Chair Collins opened the floor to Commissioner comments. Chair Collins stated he does not have any expertise when it came to duck ownership and he was uncertain of the proposed code was appropriate when it came to duck ownership. Commissioner Lindau thanked staff for working diligently and bringing together all of the comments from the Commission. He appreciated the information that was provided from what other cities were doing as well. He stated he supported the proposed language changes from staff. Commissioner Bjorklund thanked staff for all of their efforts, noting staff did an excellent job consolidating all of the comments. He explained he supported the keeping of both chickens and ducks. He recommended Options A and C move forward. Commissioner Jacobson reported she supported neighbor notification and not consent. She questioned why people would keep ducks over chickens and inquired if ducks needed water. Commissioner Bjorklund stated people keep ducks for the eggs and noted ducks do not need a pond. Commissioner Erler thanked staff for working to summarize the comments of the Commission so succinctly. He discussed how ducks were messier, needed a water source and that they were more complicated, especially if ducks and chickens are combined. He suggested a handout be created for those wishing to keep ducks. Senior Planner Fransen indicated staff would prepare some sort of handout for both chicken and duck keeping. Commissioner Birken thanked staff for all of their efforts on the ordinance amendments. She indicated she supported neighbor notification and not consent. She stated she supported the language surrounding ducks noting there were many different theories when it comes to duck keeping. She commented further on the pros of keeping ducks. She suggested no roosters, drakes or call ducks be allowed. Chair Collins asked if chickens would be able to roam around in a backyard under supervision. Senior Planner Fransen reported this would be allowed. She then read the definition within the code for an exercise yard.