City Council Minutes 2013 11 04 - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Council Meeting Minutes November 4, 2013 Page 6 of 16 Mayor Muckle requested a City Attorney Light introduction. City Attorney Light read Ordinance No. 1644, Series 2013. Mayor Muckle opened the public hearing and requested a staff presentation Planning Director Russ explained Ordinance No. 1644, Series 2013 is a culmination of community discussion held throughout the summer. This discussion was not new to Louisville and in the spring of 2009, the Planning Division worked in coordination with the Police Department to develop background information on the issue of backyard chickens and bee keeping in light of several requests received by advocates. Based on community discussions at the time, the City Council directed staff not to create a backyard chicken ordinance. A White Paper on Backyard Chickens, prepared by the Sustainability Advisory Board and the Planning Department was presented at the July 9, 2013 City Council Study Session. The White Paper was developed as the first part of a more comprehensive research on the best practices of Urban Agriculture requested by the Louisville Planning Commission. Based on research of surrounding communities' code enforcement, there has not been a significant problem in the Front Range. Staff presented a draft ordinance to the Planning Commission for their review and input at a public hearing held September 26, 2013. Currently the Louisville Municipal code prohibits chicken keeping in all but two zoning districts in the City. Currently, chicken keeping is allowed on properties in the Agricultural (A) and Restricted Rural Residential (R -RR) zone districts. He reviewed the amendments to Title 6 of the Louisville Municipal Code to allow backyard chickens as follows: Chapter 6.20 Backyard Hens: Sec. 6.20.020. Keeping of female chickens (hens) restricted. A. The keeping of chickens in the Residential Restricted Rural (R -RR) and Agricultural (A) zone districts is not subject to this chapter but shall be in compliance with all other applicable provisions of this Code. B. Backyard hens may be kept in all residential zone districts, subject to the following conditions and requirements: 1. Backyard hens shall be prohibited in the Residential High Density (RH) zone district and multi - family dwellings, except duplexes or townhouses. 2. No property shall contain more than six (6) female chickens (hens). 3. Male chickens (or roosters) are not permitted.