Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout092821 UA MINUTES CITY OF APPLE VALLEY URBAN AFFAIRS SPECIAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES September 28, 2021 1. CALL TO ORDER The City of Apple Valley Urban Affairs Advisory Committee meeting was called to order by Chair Sharon Schwartz at 6:00 p.m. Members Present: Sharon Schwartz, Pamela Sohlberg, Walton Mahlum, Linda Blake, and Sandy Breuer Members Absent: John Vegter, Ann Ahrens Staff Present: Bruce Nordquist, Community Development Director, Alex Sharpe, Planner/Economic Development Specialist 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Chair Schwartz asked if there were any changes to the agenda. MOTION: Breuer moved, seconded by Sohlberg, approving the agenda. Ayes - 5 - Nays - 0. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – August 24, 2021 Chair Schwartz asked if there were any changes to the minutes. MOTION: Mahlum moved, seconded by Sohlberg, approving the minutes of the meeting of August 24, 2021. Ayes - 5 - Nays – 0 Linda Blake arrived at 6:10 p.m. 4. ACTION ITEMS A. Public Hearing on Draft Animal Ordinance Planner Alex Sharpe briefly presented on the staff report materials. Chair Schwartz asked if the figures in the reports included planned developments Planner Sharpe stated that it does include planned developments but only the single family properties and also does not include the residential flex zone that was created for the Apple Valley golf course. It does include property that is less than 5000 sq. ft. feet and may not be buildable. Urban Affairs Minutes September 28, 2021 2 Commissioner Mahlum asked if City staff can just show up to a resident’s property for an inspection or does staff make an appointment? Planner Sharpe stated out of courtesy the City would notify the resident of the intent to enter their property given a permit has been applied for or issued. Staff is only on the property for the purpose of the chicken coops. Code Enforcement wouldn’t be there for any other purpose. Chair Schwartz wanted to double check that the permit is applied for by the resident not the property. Planner Sharpe said yes the permit did not run with the land but with the resident. Chair Schwartz expressed her concern that one member of a family will get the permit and if it needs to be revoked another member of the family can get the permit. How do we stop that from happening? Planner Sharpe believes the city ordinance covers extreme cases of multiple family members trying to get permits after being revoked. The revocation ordinance was added because of the public hearing comments but no other changes were added. Staff Recommended Action by Chair Schwartz  Motion: Staff is directed to amend the current draft ordinance to include language from the City Attorney memo preventing an applicant from re-applying for a permit to keep chickens for 3-years if their permit is revoked by City Council MOTION: Sohlberg, seconded by Mahlum Ayes - 5 Nays – 0. Planner Sharpe mentioned that bedding material was mentioned at the public hearing. Other cities do not have required bedding materials. Staff recommends including bedding materials in a best practice handout. No Committee action was required for the draft ordinance. Commissioner Mahlum asked if they could see the best practice manual before it was sent to the City Council Planner Sharpe stated that the handout would be created if an ordinance amendment is adopted. The committee can be sent the materials for the handout but typically these types of documents are created administratively. A draft version could be sent to the committee but the committee would typically not meet to discuss an informational handout. Chair Schwartz asked how often the bedding needs to be changed or cleaned. Urban Affairs Minutes September 28, 2021 3 Planner Sharpe stated that other cities ordinances did not include timeframes for how often the bedding must be changed. However the ordinance does include the provision that the coop be kept clean in order to prevent odors. On the topic of roofing materials, no questions and no action was required by the committee. On the topic of allowing free range movement, existing language in the draft ordinance does not allow free range. Discussion followed with Commissioner Mahlum moved seconded by Sohlberg to not allow free range movements. Breuer opposed, seeking a fenced in area as long as an adult is present. Chair Schwartz asked how tall the fences have to be. Planner Sharpe stated that the ordinance did not include a minimum fence height but stated that the chickens shall be contained and unable to escape. Commissioner Breuer said that letting the chickens be in a fenced in yard with an adult enables the family to have a bond with the chickens. Chair Schwartz reiterated that the chickens are not pets they are farm animals. Discussion followed on free range and chickens being more than just farm animals to families. MOTION: Retain the existing language that requires chickens to be kept in the coop/run at all times. Ayes - 3 Nays - 2 Staff reviewed information from the Minnesota State Veterinarian and confirmed small flock vaccination is not recommended and no actions are required by the Committee. Future next steps discussed. Commissioner Mahlum asked if what was discussed in the meeting could possibly be changed by the Planning Commission. He asked what the Planning Commission’s role was. Planner Sharpe stated that the Planning Commission’s role is as advisors on land use issues of the draft ordinance. The Commission is the City’s experts on this. They may choose to make additional recommendations to City Council on land use related items.