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<br /> <br />To: Chair Bollis and Planning Commission Members <br /> Adam Edwards, City Administrator <br /> <br />From: Matthew Karney, Planner <br /> <br />Date: 16 June 2025 <br /> <br />Subject: LA25-000014, Zoning Code Text Amendment regarding the Keeping of Animals in <br />Residential Districts <br /> <br /> <br />Background <br />On February 18, 2025, the Planning Commission reviewed a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) application, <br />LA24-000066, for the keeping of farm animals (pigeons) on a property within the LR-1A zoning district. <br />In their recommendation to the City Council, Planning Commission included a motion to research <br />standards and language for potential text amendments regarding the keeping of animals in residential <br />districts. <br /> <br />On April 21, 2025, Staff presented discussion questions and code language regarding animals from <br />five (5) Minnesota cities. In discussion, the Planning Commission recommended staff provide <br />language for a text amendment to fill gaps in the existing definitions, and provide flexibility for smaller <br />lots to keep birds or fowl. <br /> <br />On May 19, 2025, Staff presented suggested language for a text amendment that included new <br />definitions for animals, farm animals, and domestic poultry, while reorganizing the requirements for <br />the keeping of animals to be based on lot size. The Planning Commission gave feedback on the <br />definitions, and discussed the use changes Staff presented. <br /> <br />Included in your packet for your review, staff provided a formal text amendment for consideration <br />(attached as Exhibit B), that includes redlined changes to the Zoning Regulations. Planning <br />Commission should review the drafted language and provide feedback before moving forward to the <br />City Council. The proposed changes include: <br />1) A revised definition of animals. <br />2) A revised definition of farm animals. <br />3) A revised definition of animal units to provide a calculation based on weight for animals not <br />named in the existing definition. <br />4) A definition for domesticated poultry, which are considered farm animals. <br />5) A definition for domesticated animals. <br />6) Clarifying minimum lot sizes for the keeping of farm animals (two acres) and domesticated <br />poultry (half acre). <br />6) Changes to the listed permitted uses within each zoning district, subject to the following <br />standards: <br />a. Allowing domesticated poultry on residential lots at least ½ acre in size, specifying a <br />maximum of five (5) birds. <br />b. In R-1A and R-1B zoning districts, including keeping of farm animals and domesticated <br />poultry as an accessory use. <br />c. In lakeshore residential districts (LR-1A, LR-1B, LR-1C, and LR-1C-1), including the keeping <br />of domesticated poultry as an accessory use and keeping the farm animals regulations as <br />Application Summary: Review proposed language to the City Code regarding Animals. <br />Staff Recommendation: Approval of the text amendment as drafted. <br />27