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Gem Lake Planning Commission Minutes <br />Page 2 of 4 <br />The Carlson's approached the City of Gem Lake asking if they could raise <br />chickens on their property. Under the fee guidelines of Gem Lake, a Conditional <br />Use Permit is $1,600. There is now a special fee schedule for raising chickens. <br />The fee is one to three chickens; $25 fee with a $15 annual renewal. If you have <br />four or more chickens; $50 fee with a $15 annual fee. The initial fee is because <br />Tom Riedesel from White Bear Township would need to visit the property to see <br />where the chickens will be placed. <br />Public Hearing opened at 7:07 p.m. <br />Mr. Carlson explained that they will be ordering a chicken coop to place behind <br />the garage to keep the chickens inside with the idea of buying four or five <br />chickens that lay eggs for their family. <br />Chairperson discussed the issue when buying chicken, there is a chance that <br />one of the chickens would be a rooster. Mr. Carlson stated that if they got a <br />rooster, it would be dinner. <br />Councilmember Tom Rasmussen discussed that the City Council wants the <br />Ordinance to be re -written and will put something together reviewing what the <br />surrounding communities have done with chickens. <br />Chairperson Kuny stated to Mr. Carlson that a site plan would be needed going <br />with the guidelines of the Conditional Use Permit. Mr. Carlson expressed that <br />where the chickens will be spring through fall no one can see the area due to <br />foliage and trees surrounding the yard. <br />Public Hearing closed at 7:18 p.m. <br />Commissioner Herzog stated that she moved to the City of Gem Lake specifically <br />because you could have small poultry, but knows plenty of people in Gem Lake <br />that are raising chickens. She feels the fees are too high and feels the residents <br />should be able to go up to a dozen chickens with a $10 fee. Some people raise <br />the chickens to eat and that is a two month process. If chickens are ordered <br />through Murray, there is a 25 chicken order minimum. <br />Inspection will be one time, so cost seems to be okay with that, but need to <br />clarify with City Attorney Trevor Oliver. Attorney Oliver did suggest to <br />Chairperson Kuny to view the Pigeons Ordinance. <br />Councilmember Rasmussen stated that all residents of Gem Lake will require <br />going through this process if they are raising chickens and will have to pay a fee. <br />Chairperson Kuny wants to know if an inspection of the chickens will be yearly <br />thing. If so, then that justifies the fees. <br />Look for us on the World Wide Web at gemlakemn.org <br />