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<br />City Council Study Session - 06/21/04 <br />Minutes - Page 16 <br /> <br />Flecess Flecess <br />Mayor Klausing recessed the meeting at 7 :23 p.m. and <br />reconvened at 7:30 p.m. <br /> <br />7. <br /> <br />Informational Presentation about a Proposed Ordinance <br />Flegulating the Keeping of Chickens and Bees <br />Community Development Director Dennis Welsch provided <br />background information related to former agricultural zones in <br />the community and current density and development patterns. <br />Mr. Welsch noted language of the City Code, Section 407.02 <br />identifying nuisances affecting health, safety and comfort of <br />repose, noting that Subsection 407.02G identifies farm animals <br />as such a nuisance, but does not mention bees and poultry. Mr. <br />Welsch further noted that, it had recently been brought to the <br />attention of staff that there is isolated bee and chicken production <br />in the community; and complaints fielded by staff. Mr. Welsch <br />identified some of those complaints related to fear, noise and <br />smell, waste runoff, cock fighting concerns, and potential <br />adverse reactions to bee stings. <br /> <br />Mr. Welsch requested that, due to the health and safety reasons <br />cited, staff recommends revising the code to include bees and <br />poultry to the list of farm animals that are prohibited from being <br />kept or raised within the City. <br /> <br />Mayor Klausing sought additional information related to the <br />number and type of complaints to determine whether or not a <br />problem exists, who's affected, and what impacts would be <br />created by enforcing such a code revision. <br /> <br />Mr . Welsch recommended that, if the Council wishes to pursue <br />an ordinance revision, that an implementation of January 1, <br />2005, would be appropriate. <br /> <br />Further discussion ensued regarding how to determine impacts to <br />specific neighborhoods within the complaint areas; health <br />concerns related to waste from poultry production; noise <br />concerns; and the illegal nature of cock fighting and it's <br />significant issue in some suburbs. <br /> <br />Councilmember Ihlan opined her preference for additional <br /> <br />Proposed <br />Ordinance <br />Flegulating the <br />Keepil)g of <br />Chickens and Bees <br />