Thus far, the PC/ZBA has agreed that up to four chickens and no roosters will be allowed on lots 10,000 sq. ft. or greater. They must be housed in a backyard enclosure and not allowed to roam at large, and their feed must be kept in a rodent-free container.
A large part of the discussion at the Aug. 6 meeting focused on whether the chicken coop should be regulated as an accessory “building” or an accessory “structure.” Under current zoning laws, “buildings” and “structures” vary in definition and regulation, and the commission discussed ways to carefully word the regulation of a coop’s size and placement.
The PC/ZBA finally agreed upon the correct wording for the keeping of chickens, and the city council will have the option of approving it at its Aug. 17 meeting.
Llamas
Jenny Lund’s public hearing request for a special use permit for keeping two llamas on her Haylett Ave. property was also discussed at both the July 23 and Aug. 6 PC/ZBA meetings. An appraisal of Lund’s property, ordered at the June 18 meeting, was not ready in July, and the matter was continued to Aug. 6 and then to Aug. 20 because, according to Sr. Planner Natalia Domovessova, the appraisal arrived at city hall at 4:55 p.m. on Aug. 6, and city staff did not have time to review it before the PC/ZBA meeting began at 7:00 p.m.
Pigeons
Community Development Director Ron Mentzer pointed out at the July 9 PC/ZBA meeting that the city’s zoning ordinance prohibiting the keeping of pigeons contradicts state law. A new state law prohibits municipalities from disallowing pigeon keeping, so the PC/ZBA proposed a text amendment to allow residents to keep pigeons. The ordinance was passed by the city council at its July 20 meeting.
Before adjourning its Aug. 6 meeting, one PC/ZBA commissioner asked, “What’s next, potbellied pigs?”
