City Council - 09/01/2015 - Workshop APPROVED MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP & OPEN PODIUM
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2015 CITY CENTER
5:00— 6:25 PM, HERITAGE ROOMS
6:30— 6:55 PM, COUNCIL CHAMBER
CITY COUNCIL: Mayor Nancy Tyra-Lukens, Council Members Brad Aho, Sherry Butcher
Wickstrom, Kathy Nelson, and Ron Case
CITY STAFF: City Manager Rick Getschow, Police Chief Rob Reynolds, Fire Chief George
Esbensen, Public Works Director Robert Ellis, Community Development Director Janet Jeremiah,
Parks and Recreation Director Jay Lotthammer, Communications Manager Joyce Lorenz, City
Attorney Ric Rosow, and Recorder Lorene McWaters
Workshop -Heritage Room H
L BACKYARD CHICKENS
Getschow said the City has been approached several times over the past few years by
residents who want to raise chickens in their backyards. City ordinance currently prohibits
backyard chickens in residential areas. In April, two residents presented a petition requesting
that the City Council change the City Code. The City Council delayed discussion of the issue
due to the recent avian flu outbreak. Getschow noted that a number of nearby communities
allow chickens. In August, a"Backyard Chickens in Eden Prairie" discussion was posted to
CITY CONNECT on the City's website. Two questions were posed:
• Do you think the current City ordinance should be changed to allow residents to have
chickens? Why or why not?
• If the City of Eden Prairie does change the ordinance to allow chickens in residential
areas, do you think certain restrictions should be included? For example, some cities
prohibit male roosters and limit the number of female hens allowed per household. Tell
us about any restrictions you think are necessary.
The discussion received 177 comments, approximately 70 percent in favor of backyard
chickens and 30 percent opposed. The report and e-mails received on the topic were
distributed to the City Council for review. There was general consensus on the forum that
roosters should not be allowed. Suggestions included limiting the number of hens allowed,
licensing and regulation, and education.
Getschow said residents Sara Freeland and Sarah Kallal e-mailed him information on
backyard chicken policies from Minnetonka, St. Louis Park, Burnsville and Eagan. Getschow
said he has not heard of any major complaints from cities that allow backyard chickens.
He said tonight's workshop is for the Council to provide feedback on the results of the online
forum and to discuss how they would like staff to proceed. Issues discussed included:
City Council Workshop Minutes
September 1, 2015
Page 2
• Handling of chickens at large
• Care of chickens in sub-zero weather
• Whether or not slaughtering of chickens should be allowed
• Sanitation and odor control
• Aesthetics of chicken coops
• Regulations (setbacks for coops) and licensing (inspections and notification of neighbors)
• Chicken predators (i.e., coyotes and raccoons)
Case said many people who objected to backyard chickens on the forum were misinformed.
He said he thinks it is worth going the next step and drafting a tightly worded ordinance that
addresses all of issues raised tonight. Butcher Wickstrom said she thinks backyard chickens
are a good idea, and suggested that the City use the same procedures it currently has for other
types of pets. Nelson said she would want to ensure that coops are constructed so they are not
susceptible to fire.
Tyra-Lukens said there are still a lot of unanswered questions. She said most people who live
in Eden Prairie moved here with the understanding that backyard chickens are not allowed.
She said coops would need to be located at least 10 feet from property lines, and that they
should be inspected. Permitting fees should cover the cost of inspections. She also asked staff
to contact realtors in communities that allow backyard chickens to see it has resulted in lower
property values.
Aho said he has similar concerns. He said some neighborhoods have fairly small yards, and
coops would be very visible to neighbors. He asked if there would be standards regarding
building materials and construction. Nelson said there is a growing problem with coyotes,
and raccoons can be just as much of a problem.
Case raised the issue of the rights of property owners to use their properties as they see fit.
He said there are a lot of sheds and garden enclosures that are eyesores, but the government
often does not interfere with them. He said minimum lot sizes and setbacks would be
advisable.
Nelson and Aho said they are comfortable waiting until the next community survey is
conducted to gather more data on how the community feels about allowing backyard
chickens. Case said he is not comfortable waiting that long. Tyra-Lukens said she does not
have a problem waiting for more for data to be available.
Getschow said staff will plan to include a question about backyard chickens on the next
community survey. He said the topic can also be discussed at another workshop after staff
has gathered more information on the issues raised tonight.
II. SIGN UPDATE
City Attorney Ric Rosow provided an update on sign regulations based on the outcome of the
U.S. Supreme Court case Reed v. Town of Gilbert. He said some of the City's current
regulations will need to be revised based on the outcome of the case.
City Council Workshop Minutes
September 1, 2015
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Open Podium- Council Chamber
III. OPEN PODIUM
IV. ADJOURNMENT