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