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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018 06-19 HCPAGENDA BROOKLYN CENTER HOUSING COMMISSION June 19, 2018 7:00 p.m. Council Commission Conference Room Brooklyn Center City Hall 1) Call to Order: 7:00 p.m. 2) Approval of Agenda 3) Approval of Minutes: May 15, 2018 4) Review Draft Chicken Ordinance 5) New Neighbor Delivery Dates 6) City Council Liaison’s Report 7) Chairpersons Report 8) Other Business 9) Adjournment Page 1 MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE HOUSING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND STATE OF MINNESOTA REGULAR SESSION May 15, 2018 COUNCIL COMMISSION ROOM CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission was called to order by Chairperson Goodell at 7:00 p.m. ROLL CALL Chairperson – Mark Chairperson Goodell - Present David Johnson – Not Present Tamika Baskin – Present Kathie Amdahl - Present Joan Schonning – Present Michael Stokes – Present Paul Oman - Present Also present was Staff Liaison Jesse Anderson and Council Liaison Marquita Butler. APPROVAL OF AGENDA There was a motion by Commissioner Amdahl and seconded by Commissioner Baskin to approve the agenda as Amended. Amended to April 17, 2018 minutes. The motion passed. APPROVAL OF MINUTES There was a motion by Commissioner Amdahl and seconded by Commissioner Schonning to approve the minutes of the Housing Commission meeting on April 17, 2018. The motion passed. Liaison Anderson provided a summary of the proposed ordinance relating to the keeping of backyard chickens. Chairperson Goodell: What would be the effects of the enforcement? Liaison Anderson: Currently the city staff is enforcing that Chickens are prohibited and there likely would not be an increase in workload. Anna Cooper: I messaged some city managers. Crystal City Manager said they have had only two complaints, neither of them validated. Chairperson Goodell: What is the time period of the complaints? Ms. Cooper: Since June 2017. Coon Rapids doesn’t have any licenses issued and no complaints. Council Liaison Butler: How many chickens would be allowed? Page 2 Liaison Anderson: Six were proposed at the Council Open Forum. Commissioner Schonning: Would the coop count as an accessory structure? Commissioner Oman: Could it be considered like a dog kennel? Commissioner Schonning: What are the size requirements? Mr. Henning: Chicken coops for 3-4 chickens are no bigger than a sofa. No bigger than a dog house. 3-5 square feet needed per bird. Mr. Henning: They have some coops that are not stationary. They can be moved to different areas of the yard. Chairperson Goodell: What happens with aging hens? Mr. Krulikowski: No slaughter recommendation. They can be kept for other uses other than laying eggs: Sell them, keep as a pet. They could be moved indoors; they wouldn’t be let free. Ms. Cooper: They are like pets and people would generally be attached to them. Mr. Krulikowski: Hens can still be laying eggs at 3-5 years old. Mr. Henning: Farms are willing to take them. Chairperson Goodell: The recommendation is not for commercial sale of the pets. Commissioner Schonning: Proposal covers the cleanliness. Mostly need to clarify the size. Ms. Cooper Coops don’t have to be too large. Mr. Krulikowski: What are the next steps Next steps? Chairperson Goodell: The Housing Commission is an Advisory commission to the council. Chairperson Goodell: No licensing requirement recommended. Is this because Brooklyn Center doesn’t currently license pets? Commissioner Schonning: Minneapolis requires certification. Ms. Cooper: No other city has dog or cat license requirements. Crystal doesn’t have a license fee for any animal. Crystal City Manager seemed to think things were going ok. Commissioner Oman: Have a number of questions and/or comments. Minneapolis is urban farm situation for commercial purposes. This doesn’t apply as much in Crystal. Crystal’s is more likely to be a better model for Brooklyn Center. A local church had a presentation on an urban farmer’s almanac. The presenter grows chickens in Minneapolis. Around Easter people get chicks. When they get chicks you can tell if it is a rooster or a hen. They would have to deal with it if they get a rooster accidentally when they are expecting a hen. Ms. Cooper: At most places, you can tell them what you want when you order the chickens. It will have to be considered when making a purchase. They would have to move it out, sell it. Commissioner Oman: The ordinance would just say no roosters. Mr. Krulikowski: Chickens lay eggs once a day. In Minneapolis, you can’t have vegetables and chickens. A 30 chicken operation only provides Page 3 enough for your family of 4. Not likely to be sold as a business. It wouldn’t be profitable without a large number of chickens. Mr. Krulikowski: We want to have a dialogue. The average is six. This is about three eggs per day. This wouldn’t be enough to feed a family. It was nice in Minneapolis to have more. What would the thoughts be to increase the number? The cost for six is similar to have 20. It takes six months for chickens to make eggs. Would be happy with six, however, would you consider up to ten with neighbor permission? Mr. Henning: The number may affect the size required for the coop. Mr. Krulikowski: If you have more chickens, it could require a bigger coop. Commissioner Baskin: Appreciate that people who want to gather their own eggs. I would be concerned with numbers over 6. Chairperson Goodell: What are the food aspect verses pet aspects? Commissioner Stokes: I see them more as pets with 3-4. They do have personalities. Had chickens as a kid. Chairperson Goodell: Crystal has specific shelter requirements including size requirements. What recommendation fits in with existing zoning? Are they heated in the winter? We would want to follow other regulations. Ms. Cooper: In winter you would put insulation on the coop walls. Some people will use quilts to decorate and protect them. They do make heating units that are battery operated. Some may run electrical out. The chickens heat themselves. Mr. Henning: Solar heating panels are also available to buy. Mr. Krulikowski: There are many different ways people handle the cold weather. The moisture can cause the frostbite to the chickens. Ms. Cooper: In Crystal, you need an inspection to provide electric to the chicken coop. Mr. Krulikowski: Would be content with six chickens. Commissioner Stokes: Have to consider neighbors with anything over six. Commissioner Schonning: Would have to consider the location. Chairperson Goodell: Would not be allowed to be closer to the street then other structures. Commissioner Amdahl: Are there setback requirements similar to setback regulations? Chairperson Goodell: Would a mobile affect the ordinance? Commissioner Amdahl: Consider zoning: What about townhomes, if it’s multiple owners? Commissioner Schonning: Would propose R1 and R2. Commissioner Oman: Would egg sales be prohibited? Should we mimic Crystal and not allow sales? No slaughter or cockfighting. Not allowed in dwellings. What else should be considered? Ms. Cooper: Garages should not be used due to the contents. Chairperson Goodell: What is recommended that is similar to Crystal? Page 4 Ms. Cooper: Without a license, things are more hands off. Mr. Henning: City of Coon Rapids is too difficult to follow. Commissioner Amdahl: City of Crystal’s is clear, easy to follow. Mr. Krulikowski: Don’t have a material requirement for the structure. Commissioner Schonning: From wood, woven durable material and/or weather resistant material. Commissioner Stokes: Doesn’t require a fence. Mr. Krulikowski: Should build a run, wouldn’t recommend them be let out. Their wings can also be clipped. Mr. Henning: Runs are fully enclosed. Ms. Cooper: Would like to be able to let them out in fenced yard. Mr. Krulikowski: Most predators are out at night so they could be out during the day. Commissioner Baskin: Would have to consider those that don’t use common sense and create an ordinance that does. Ms. Cooper, I appreciate the dialogue. Chairperson Goodell: Appreciate all the input. Liaison Anderson: Bring back Crystal ordinance. Commissioner Oman: Should require specifics on disposal (should be included in ordinance). Commissioner Amdahl: Reference other codes for accessory buildings. Chairperson Goodell: Should we consider any coop an accessory building? Commissioner Schonning: Would it be considered an accessory building? Chairperson Goodell: Under size doesn’t count as an accessory. Commissioner Schonning: We should have size requirements. Commissioner Baskin: What is unsafe for a chicken? Chairperson Goodell: Would there be an exemption for portable coops? What’s a good minimum? Follow Crystal for maximum. Write up and determine size and accessory restriction. Commissioner Oman: Minimum size of coop to count as accessory. Chairperson Goodell: The response is overall favorable. Residents: Thank for your feedback. The Housing Commission worked through a exercise relating to the Comprehensive plan. The Housing Commission agreed to select days for delivery’s based on a doodle poll. COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT – Sent via e-mail after the meeting  Sharon Knutson (City Clerk) is retiring after 35 years of service to the city  Rebecca Crass (CARS) is retiring after 24 years of service to the city  May 13-May 19 is Police week. May 15th is police officer Memorial Day  It was approved and the city will be providing financial support for 1st Saturday Page 5 Marketplace: Provide a space and venue to display market and sell products for our cities underserved entrepreneurs, It will be kicked off June 2nd, as of right now it is going to be located at Brookdale Health parking lot  The police Chief came to our work session and advocated that we pass an ordinance that addresses pedestrians standing on the roadway medians for prolonged periods of time. We have voted to move forward on having staff creating a draft.  We had a wonderful presentation from Brooklyn Youth Council and Hennepin Council Public Health regarding tobacco products. They had the following requests:  Raise the minimum legal sale to 21 for tobacco  Restrict sale of flavored tobacco products (including methanol)  Reduce the density of tobacco retailers  Reduce the proximity of new tobacco retails to within 1,000 feet of a youth facility  Increase the cost of tobacco products  Increase tobacco retailer compliance with age verification OTHER BUSINESS There was no other business addressed by the Commission. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner and seconded by Commissioner to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed. The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission adjourned at 9:00 p.m. __________________________________ Chairman Section 19-104. LIMITATIONS ON KEEPING OF ANIMALS. It is hereby declared to be a public nuisance to permit, maintain or harbor any of the following: 1. More than two (2) dogs exceeding six months of age. 2. More than three (3) cats exceeding six months of age. 3. Any combination of more than five (5) animals exceeding six months of age. 4. Horses, cows, sheep, pigs, goats, swine, mules, llamas, or other hoofed animals, chickens, ducks, geese, or other agricultural animal or domestic fowl excluding chickens as authorized by Section 12-1206. 5. Live wild animals, reptile, or fowl, of types that are not naturally tame or gentle but are of a wild nature or disposition that, because of their size, vicious nature, or other characteristics would constitute a danger to human life or property. Examples of such wild animals include, but are not limited to, bears, lions, tigers, jaguars, leopards, bobcat, cougars, cheetahs, lynx, ocelots, wolves, foxes, coyotes, dingoes, jackals, bison, panthers, apes, badgers, raccoons, ferrets, skunks, puma, rattle snakes, coral snakes, water moccasins, or cobras. 6. Any combination of animals and/or fowl of any age kept in such numbers or under conditions which unreasonably annoy, injure, or endanger the health, safety, comfort, repose or welfare of the public or of said animals or fowl. 7. More than six (6) chickens. 1-130 Chickens. No person shall keep on any single family or two family residential property more than Six (6) total hen chickens. This is an addition to the maximum number of animals authorized by Section 19-104. 1. Three or More Dwelling Unit Properties. Chickens are not allowed on properties with three or more dwelling units. 2. No Roosters. No person shall keep roosters, or adult male chickens, on any property within the city. 3. No Cockfighting. Cockfighting is specifically prohibited within the city. 4. No Slaughtering. The slaughter of chickens is prohibited in the city. 5. Ownership Occupancy. The owner of the chickens shall live in the dwelling on the property. If the property is not owner-occupied, then the property owner must provide a written statement to the City. 6. No Breeding. The raising of chickens for breeding purposes is prohibited in the city. 7. No Chickens in Dwellings or Garages. Chickens over the age of four weeks shall not be kept inside of a dwelling or garage. 8. Shelter and Enclosure Requirements. Chickens shall be properly protected from the weather and predators in a shelter or coop, and have access to the outdoors in an enclosure or fenced area. The shelter and/or enclosure shall meet all of the following requirements a. Building, property maintenance and zoning requirements of Chapters 35. b. Applicable electrical work shall be done according to applicable codes and with appropriate permits. c. The shelter shall be situated closer to the chicken owner’s dwelling than to any of the neighboring dwellings but in no case closer than 5 feet to the lot line. d. Shelter and enclosure must not be located closer to an adjacent street than the owner’s dwelling. e. Screening from abutting residentially used properties and streets in the form of a solid privacy fence of at least four (4) feet. f. A shelter shall not exceed 120 square feet in size and shall not exceed six (6) feet in height. g. An enclosure or fenced area for chickens shall not exceed 20 square feet per bird and shall not exceed six (6) feet in height and shall have protected overhead netting to prevent attracting predators and other animals running at large. h. An enclosure or fenced area may be constructed with wood and/or woven wire materials that allow chickens to contact the ground. i. Constructed in a workmanship-like manner to deter rodents and predators. j. Any coop that exceeds 30 square feet shall be considered an accessory structure and must meet all requirements in Section 35-530. 9. Prevention of Nuisance Conditions. Owners shall care for chickens in a humane manner and shall prevent nuisance conditions by ensuring the following conditions are met: a. The shelter and enclosure are maintained in good repair, and in a clean and sanitary manner free of vermin and objectionable odors. b. Feces and discarded feed is regularly collected and stored in a leak-proof container with a tight-fitting cover to prevent nuisance odors and the attraction of vermin until it can be disposed properly. c. Chicken feed shall be stored in leak-proof containers with a tight-fitting cover to prevent attracting vermin. d. Chickens shall be secured inside of a shelter from sunset to sunrise each day to prevent nuisance noise and attracting predators. e. Chickens shall remain in either the shelter or enclosure at all times and shall not run at large. f. The shelter shall be winterized to protect the chickens in cold weather. g. Sale of Farm Poultry or Eggs. The Poultry or Eggs produced on site may not be used for the commercial sale.