City Faribault Of March 20, 2017 Public Hearing ZTA 3-17 Ordinance Amendments to Allow a) Raising/Keeping Chickens b) Raising/Keeping Honey Bees c) Prescribed Grazing to Control Noxious Weeds and Overgrown Vegetation
Background Over the past three years, the City has received a number of requests to allow backyard chickens in Faribault. The City has also received several requests for beekeeping and several requests for prescribed gazing within the city limits. Currently, the City prohibits all of the above (except in Open Space/Agricultural and Transitional Urban Development Zones). Faribault 2
Background In 2014, Both the Planning Commission and City Council held workshops to discuss the pros and cons of allowing limited chickens, bees, and prescribed grazing It was noted that some residents already have chickens and bees in their backyard and that prescribed grazing is occurring at River Bend Nature Center Although not a top priority of the City Council, they agreed to consider it at a future date and authorized the application process Faribault 3
Overview General Animal Control Regulations in Chapter 6, Code of Ordinances are administered by the Police Department Proposed Ordinances will be administered by the Police for Animal Control and the Dept. of Community & Economic Development for Permits / Licensing and Appeals Regulations to be added to UDO Development Standards and Accessory Uses where appropriate Faribault 4
Chickens: Overview Requested in the interest of Fresh eggs and knowledge of how food raised Learning experience for families Pets Communities split on allowance and prohibition Faribault 5
Chickens: Ordinance Overview Permit required for single family detached properties Maximum of 3 hens no roosters Owner must live on property Not allowed in any part of principal structure, attached garage, detached garage or accessory structure Banding required Coop/run removed if chickens no longer kept Faribault 6
Chickens: Ordinance Overview Coop and run required to be located In rear yard Outside drainage and utility easement At least 10 feet from property line At least 20 feet from principal structure on adjacent lot At least 25 feet from delineated wetland edge or top of a bank of a pond, filtration basin, or infiltration basin Faribault 7
Chickens: Ordinance Overview Coops 4 8 square feet per chicken Max 6 feet in height Elevate 12 to 36 inches Electrical work must be consistent with codes Runs 6 to 10 square feet per chicken Fencing max of 6 feet in height Protective overhead netting Faribault 8
Chickens: Comments Received Jennie-O Turkey Store raised concern regarding potential impact on operations from a backyard flock with avian influenza Faribault 9
Bees: Overview Requested in the interest of Declining bee population and importance of it for agriculture Production of honey estimate 25 to 50 pounds per hive Fewer communities address more often regulated to agricultural or rural zoning districts Faribault 10
Bees: Overview Domestic honey bee strains selectively bred for traits like gentleness, honey production, tendency not to swarm, and non-aggressive behavior Only about 3% of adult population and 0.5% of children develop more severe reactions to bees Honey bees often confused with yellow jackets, hornets, and wasps Faribault 11
Bees: Overview Yellow jackets Account for most stings in U.S. Most aggressive Seek food in picnic areas and around trash containers Do not create same type of hive as honey bee Faribault 12
Bees: Ordinance Overview Permit required for single family detached properties Certificate of education and liability insurance required Owner must live on property Number of hives based on size of lot Faribault 13
Bees: Ordinance Overview Hives Source of water within 10 feet Fence of property or apiary of at least 5 feet Signage on lot or apiary No selling of honey from lot permitted Faribault 14
Prescribed Grazing: Ordinance Overview A temporary service that involves animals (goats) for the control of invasive or noxious vegetation. The City has allowed prescribed grazing at River Bend Nature Center, but the Nature Center is in the Open Space/Agricultural. Some residents that abut River Bend are interested in prescribed grazing on their property. Faribault 15
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Proposed in Open Space/Agricultural and Transitional Urban Development Districts, Public Lands, Institutional Lands (Over 5 Acres) Stocking rate limit. No more than one prescribed grazing animal (i.e. goat) per 2,500 square feet of lot size at any time. Grazing allowed for a 30-day period up to 2 times a year with 60 days between Faribault 19
Agencies supplying the goats must be supervised through a registration or licensing and have insurance. Proper enclosure. Fully enclosed at all times. Temporary fences may be electric. Where electric fences are used, a double fence system will be required. Signage to warn of electric fencing in association with prescribed grazing. Faribault 20
Overview The application schedule is as follows: Public hearing at the Planning Commission level on March 20, 2017 First Reading by City Council scheduled on April 25, 2017 Faribault 21
REQUIRED FINDINGS Section 2-180 of the UDO includes five required findings as a prerequisite for approval of zoning text amendments. The draft ordinances include required findings for approval of each of the ordinances There is a separate ordinance provided for keeping chickens, another for Beekeeping and a third ordinance for prescribed grazing. Faribault 22
Comments: A Number of Home Owners and Residents have expressed support for Beekeeping and allowing Chickens Some have expressed concern over bee stings and allergic reactions Jennie O expressed concerns over avian flu in close proximity to a food production facility and general sanitation issues of backyard flocks Police Department has concerns with possible complaints and enforcement issues (stemming from odors, noise, predators and chickens that get loose) No residents concerns regarding prescribed grazing Faribault 23
RECOMMENDATION Appropriate action to approve, modify or deny the proposed ordinance 2016-XX including findings in support of the amendment of the Unified Development Ordinance and Chapter 6 of the City Code of Ordinances Continue the public hearing to the April 3, 2017 finalize ordinance language and approve the Ordinance. Faribault 24
Questions/Comments for City Staff Faribault 25