Meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission held October 25, 2022, 6:00 P.M. in the Council Chambers of City Hall.
Members present:
Mike Cook – Chairman
Kevin Asker – Vice Chair
Dan Gautney
Brian Perry
Yolanda Stout
Lee Spencer
Members absent: Graydon Galloway
City Staff: City Administrator Kennedy
The meeting was called to order by Mike Cook at 6:00 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: On motion by Kevin Asker, second by Dan Gautney to approve the minutes of August 23, 2022 as presented. Motion carried.
PUBLIC HEARING #1: The public hearing was opened at 6:02 pm.
STAFF PRESENTATION: City Administrator Kennedy explained the commission has a proposed ordinance before them to take public input on an amendment to animals in zone B. The proposed ordinance amends the number of animals allowed in residence zone B and industrial zone D as determined by square footage of the lot, placement of coop, hutch or runs, maintenance of animal locations to keep them free from obnoxious odors and substances and the addition of an infraction for violations.
WRITTEN CORRESPONDENCE: None
SUPPORTERS: None
NEUTRALS: None
OPPONENTS: None
DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATION: Brian Perry questioned if the square footage requirement was the lot size or the lot minus the square footage of all the buildings on the lot. Administrator Kennedy stated the square footage is based only off the lot size and does not take into account any structures. Kevin Asker questioned if the fine should be double for the third infraction. He also felt if people were using the chickens for eggs and maybe meat, that the number could be changed to allow 12 chickens for the first 5,000 square feet and then increase the 12 to 18 based on additional square footage. Dan Gautney felt 25 rabbits was too many and would like to see them at 10. Lee Spencer felt the ratio of chickens to rabbits could be confusing and questioned whether they should be the same number. Brian Perry pointed out subsection 4Ciii where it states, “do not cause offensive odors or insect nuisance to neighbors.” He felt pests should be added to the ordinance as depending how people store their animal food, pests could move in. He wasn’t sure adding rodents would cover everything so suggested pests. Lee Spencer stated horses and cows are social animals did the council consider allowing two. Kennedy stated they can have two if they have enough square footage. Kevin Asker stated the ordinance referenced keep or maintain livestock in the front yard. He was concerned during Border days when horses are washed for the celebration in the front yard as he knows that happens sometimes. He was also concerned where it talked about having animals staked or picketed.
The hearing closed at 6:46 p.m.
The commission discussed their previous ideas to see which one were most important or that they felt should be changed and which ones could just be left as written.
On motion by Dan Gautney, second by Kevin Asker to recommend approval of the ordinance with the changes below:
• Allow 12 (instead of 6) chickens for the first 5,000 square feet and a maximum of 18 (instead of 12) chickens based on 1,250 square feet for each additional over 12.
• Add pests to subsection 4Ciii
• On the 3rd and subsequent infractions the fine should be double
Motion carried.
The commission asked what happened with the petition to have chickens and rabbits in all zones. Kennedy stated no action was taken to deny it. If residents want those animals, they can go through the conditional use process.
NEXT MEETING: The next meeting is November 22, 2022 at 6:00 pm.
Adjourned by Mike Cook at 6:56 p.m.
Tonya Kennedy – City Clerk
