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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/24/2013CALL TO ORDER CITY OF APPLE VALLEY URBAN AFFAIRS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 24, 2013 The City of Apple Valley Urban Affairs Advisory Committee meeting was called to order by Chair Schwartz at 7:00 p.m. Members Present: Barry Berg, Sandy Breuer, Edwin Holmes, Walton Mahlum, Sharon Schwartz and Earl Wilson. Members Absent: Pamela Sohlberg Staff Present: Planner Margaret Dykes, Code Compliance Specialist Ben Pierson, City Attorney Sharon Hills and Department Assistant Joan Murphy. 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Chair Schwartz asked if there were any changes to the agenda. Hearing none she called for a motion. MOTION: of Wilson, seconded by Breuer, approving the agenda. Ayes - 6 - Nays - 0. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES AUGUST 27, 2013. Chair Schwartz asked if there were any changes to the minutes. Hearing none she called for a motion. MOTION: of Breuer, seconded by Mahlum, approving the minutes of the meeting of August 27, 2013. Ayes -6- Nays -0. 4. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. Animal Ordinances Review Chair Schwartz opened the public comment meeting at 7:03. Planner Margaret Dykes reviewed the draft amendments to Chapter 91 (Animals), and the staff memo for the Committee's meeting of September 24, 2013. She stated the Urban Affairs Advisory •Committee was directed by the Apple Valley City Council to review the animal ordinance as it relates to the definition of household pets. She stated other city ordinances were reviewed and the Committee proposed to amend the ordinance as to: 1. Create a definition of house pets. 2. Limit the number of animals in a household. CITY OF APPLE VALLEY Dakota County, Minnesota Urban Affairs Advisory Committee Minutes September 24, 2013 Page 2 of 5 3. Prohibit keeping prohibited animals on residential property. Marian Brown, 7754 142nd Street, stated that at the Apple Valley Home and Garden Show, two years ago, people talked about raising chickens. They were told of the advantages. She said three of the largest cities, Minneapolis, St. Paul and Burnsville allow chickens now. Doug Swanson, 486 Rimrock Dr., stated that changes are anti-agriculture and this is a future growth business. He does not see the agricultural field laying people off. Maury Flake, 13600 Geyser Path, has lived in Apple Valley one year and said it is a wonderful community. He stated backyard chickens were enduring pets and they have a lack of noise, lack of smell, and lack of nuisance. He said chickens detach the grass and aerate the ground. They feed very well, prefer greens and what they find forging on the ground. He stated that Apple Valley is surrounded by communities that allow chickens. He would like the opportunity to be allowed to have backyard chickens. His personal view was to permit chickens. Bill Tschohl, 8130 137th Street, said he moved to Apple Valley in 1979. He has been in the real estate business for 32 years and wants Apple Valley to continue to be a great city. He respects the people who want to raise chickens and goats. He feels we need to avoid the conflict in neighborhoods and that chickens would attract mice and fox. He asked who would enforce the violations and believes enforcement is short now. He added chickens in the backyard could affect the value of homes. Will Branning, 13775 Guild Avenue, stated he lived here since 1964 and participated in the first ordinance and those prior to 1964. He was concerned about mixing farm and urban uses and expressed concern about odor and attracting rats. He asked about grandfathering in pets. He did not want to open up the ordinance. Jessie Koehle, 13626 Fernando Avenue, said she would like to have chickens and have her daughter experience raising chickens. She believes there should be a limit on chickens and they should be allowed with permits and ordinances. She feels urban farming should be allowed to include chickens, bees and goats and suggested using other cities that allow chickens to help structure the ordinance. Ken Ullery, 15718 Hayes Trail, said he lives next door to a resident with three chickens and other neighbors with several dogs. He prefers the chickens over the dogs provided there are no roosters. He does not notice the chickens because there is no smell and noise. He said dogs are noiser. Marlene Gordhamer, 14849 Haven Dr., stated she has raised chickens. Grandchildren carry them around and they ride in a wagon. Coops smell if they are not properly cared for. Cara Gordhamer, 14849 Haven Dr., started raising chickens in 2011. She lives on an almost all dog street and dogs are very loud. Chickens are quiet and it strikes up a conversation with new ways of things to try when talking to neighbors. Chickens are very social. She learned from chickens how to put a meal on the table and provide for family. CITY OF APPLE VALLEY Dakota County, Minnesota Urban Affairs Advisory Committee Minutes September 24, 2013 Page 3 of 5 Susannah Fisher, 14351 Europa Avenue, believes chickens should be allowed for the eggs and fertilizer. Aaron Nelson, 13964 Duluth Ct., has chickens now on a large lot and shares the coop with his neighbor. The coop cannot be seen from the neighboring lots. Children clean, take care and pick the eggs. If the City Council would allow chickens it should be with responsibility. He feels chickens are better pets than dogs and believes if chickens are allowed there should be rules and not to allow roosters. Smaller lots may not be appropriate but larger lots should be allowed to have chickens. He has not seen rodent issues and there is no smell. He feels chickens should be allowed by permit as long as the ordinance is clear and concise. Mike Melville, 13960 Duluth Ct., is the neighbor who shares the coop and has chickens and two Nigerian goats. Children play with them. Goats are penned up with the chickens during the day. Dogs play with the goats too. He treats the goats as pets and does not milk them. He stated that between his neighbor and himself they have two acres. Keith Chapman, 12691 Edinborough Way, noted he has a neighbor who has chickens. They are noisy and he is opposed to chickens. Dan Newbauer, 13630 Johnny Cake Ridge Road, has been a beekeeper for over 30 years. He tried to raise a garden and when he introduced the honey bees he can now produce enough food in his yard. He believes there is a strong need for urban bees and the environment is deteriorating due to water quality. He said Minneapolis and St. Paul allow them and feels people should have a right to raise their own food. Don Paulseth, 84 County Road 42, stated people should be allowed to raise their own food. People have private property rights and there should be a compelling reason to take away people's rights. The city should not be a mediation service. Let the people be responsible. Ducks do take care of insects and Muscovy ducks take care of flies. If growing vegetables it makes excellent fertilizer. Roxanne Lavelle, 14143 Germane Avenue, commented she has to drive 45 miles to get fresh eggs. She would like a relationship with the animals. They can fertilize the garden. It is a more natural way of living and sustainable future. She is scared the government wants to control everything and taking away means of living. Gary Johnson, 224 Elm Drive, supported bees and keeping of bees in the city because these are beneficial. He supported the right to grow your own food. Rodents are part of city living. He suggested looking at Minneapolis for rules and their permitting process. Shawn Jorgenson, 15719 Lower Fjord Way, has friends in Eagan that he had gotten eggs from. He supports the keeping of bees, chickens, goats or other animals kept as food. He stated the younger generation wants to keep and grow local foods. His perception is that if animals are well kept there should not be a problem. Hearing what most of the people spoke this evening is that they do not CITY OF APPLE VALLEY Dakota County, Minnesota Urban Affairs Advisory Committee Minutes September 24, 2013 Page 4 of 5 have a problem with the way animals are kept. He would prefer to be in a place that allows these animals. Karen Theisen, 8414 134th Street Ct., commented she sees no reason why chickens or other smaller farm animals should not be allowed. She does not see why urban farming would hurt the property values. Animals are not the problem, people are the problem. Todd Taylor, 13533 Fordham Avenue, supports chickens and has neighbors that have them. He believes there could be responsible owners and a flock of four would be fine. He suggested allowing chickens on a trial basis. Owners should respect the rights of the neighborhood. He would like for his children to know eggs do not start in a carton. Jim Moening, 260 Elm Drive, stated chickens attract predators such as skunks and weasels and suggested putting this up for a vote. He believes most people would be against allowing chickens. Debra Raines, 15716 Hayes Trail, supports goats, chickens and bees. If cared for properly there is no smell. Emilie Kastner, 13624 Elkwood Drive, believes she represents her generation as to where their food comes from and she likes fresh eggs. She stated we need bees to sustain the carbon foot print and supports chickens. Emma Wuebben, 13321 Greenleaf Ct., supports chickens and would like to raise chickens in the future. Christina Vincent, 297 Pinewood Dr., commented predators already live here. She believes proper maintenance of chicken coops would not create problems. Chickens would eat some of the smaller pests. Marian Brown, 7754 142nd Street, commented on the number of 4-H clubs in the area and that it is important for children to have the opportunity to raise chickens and display at the Dakota County Fair. She believes no roasters should be allowed and inquired as to the people that are already raising chickens if they would be asked to get rid of them. Lorraine Malmgren, 272 Elm Dr., expressed concern that irresponsible people will have chickens and not the responsible people. Dan Newbauer, 13630 Johnny Cake Ridge Rd., stated the biggest problem has been with dogs and cats. He encouraged staff to talk to professionals about drafting the ordinance. Doug Swanson, 486 Rimrock Dr., commented that he reviewed all the complaints in the Police Department and has never seen any problem on chickens. CITY OF APPLE VALLEY Dakota County, Minnesota Urban Affairs Advisory Committee Minutes September 24, 2013 Page 5 of 5 Chair Schwartz closed the public comment meeting at 8:29 p.m. 5. OTHER BUSINESS A. Review of upcoming meeting. Planner Margaret Dykes stated that the next Urban Affairs Committee meeting would take place Tuesday, October 22, 2013, at 7:00 p.m. 6. ADJOURNMENT Hearing no further comments from the Urban Affairs Advisory Committee, Chair Schwartz asked for a motion to adjourn. MOTION: of Breuer, seconded by Wilson, to adjourn the meeting at 8:32 p.m. Ayes - 6 - Nays - 0. Res ectfully Submitted, PC..„ Jo� Murphy, Planning Depart t Assistant Approved by the Apple Valley Urban Affairs Advisory Committee on