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[ � <br /> , ' PC Exhibit C <br /> MEMORANDUM � PC Work Session 8-1-2012 <br /> To: Chair Schoenzeit and Planning Commissioners <br /> Melanie Curtis, Planning&Zoning Coordinator <br /> Jason Baxnes, CSO <br /> Jessica Loftus, City Administrator � <br /> _ , <br /> From: Mike Gaffron, Asst. City Administrator <br /> Date: July 25, 2012 <br /> Subject: Roosters -Potential Ordinance Amendment � <br /> Attachments: <br /> A- Existing Pertinent Orono Code Sections <br /> B - Submitted Information from Laura Schatzer, 3685 Watertown Road <br /> C - Sample Ordinance (For Discussion Only) <br /> � D - Selected Information Materials <br /> �Background <br /> The City Council has directed that staff and Planning Commission review the issue of whether the <br /> keeping of roosters should be prohibited within the City. This direction is a result of ongoing <br /> complaints from one or two residents about incessant crowing of roosters located at a property on <br /> Watertown Road in the 5-acre RR-lA Rural Residential zoning district. <br /> Laura Schatzer of 3685 Watertown Road has requested that her letter and attachments dated June <br /> 11, 2012 be included in your information packet- see Exhibit B. _ <br /> The basic issue is that roosters have a natural propensity to crow loudly in eaxly morning hours and <br /> intermittently throughout the day. The high-pitched sound travels significant distances, and may <br /> be heard hundreds of feet away. In a completely rural setting this may be acceptable; in a rural <br /> residential setting of 2- acre and 5-acre lots that characterizes 80% of Orono, separation distances <br /> between homes may not have much effect on reducing the noise impact. � <br /> Provided below is a review of existing City of Orono ordinances regarding the keeping of animals. <br /> Relative to roosters, the animal noise regulations (Section 62-10) would consider it a violation � <br /> when a rooster crows repeatedly for at least five minutes, with one minute or less between each <br /> crowing instance. . <br /> .�,;.. Scope of Review -, . <br /> This review could easily mushroom into a discussion about general animal regulation with respect <br /> . to chickens and other fowl, such as the location, numbers, and manner in which they are kept. The <br /> very minimal volume of complaints received outside of the recent situation does not suggest a need <br /> for an overhaul of the animal ordinances. The Council direction in this regard is merely to consider <br /> a ban on roosters. The request from one member of the public that greater controls be placed on <br />