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MINUTES OF THE <br /> � ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br /> Monday,August 20,2012 <br /> 6:30 o'clock p.m. <br /> Gaffron stated the City has not attempted to determine who has roosters but that notice of tonight's <br /> meeting has been published in the local newspaper and posted. Gaffron noted this would be a city-wide <br /> ordinance. <br /> Thiesse commented he personally is aware of three people who have roosters that would be affected by <br /> this ordinance. <br /> Schoenzeit questioned whether the City gives the CSO sufficient tools to deal with the rooster,and that he <br /> has a concern the CSO will not be able to deal with the situation due to being insufficiently equipped. <br /> Schoenzeit commented it is a responsibility of the City to address that. <br /> Gaffron stated he specifically asked the City Attorney whether the ordinance should be changed and that <br /> he was comfortable with not doing anything or banning roosters totally. The recommendation of the City <br /> Attorney was to wait until the lawsuit was completed. <br /> Levang stated she did visit the property and that the minute she opened her car door,the rooster started <br /> crowing,which she found to be unpleasant. Levang noted that John Thiesse knows of a rooster in his <br /> neighborhood and that she also hears crowing in her yard,which she finds slightly irritating when she is <br /> outside. <br /> Thiesse noted there is a wetland between her and the location of the rooster. Thiesse pointed out that <br /> someone can hear a train even though they do not live right next to the tracks. Thiesse stated he would <br /> not,however,want that rooster outside his window and that there can be problems with people having <br /> roosters. <br /> Schoenzeit stated roosters can also go on top of fences and inside structures,which can be a problem. <br /> Levang stated she would not want to hear the rooster 24/7. <br /> Schoenzeit noted there are other cities that have banned roosters. <br /> Thiesse pointed out the City of Minneapolis allows roosters. Thiesse stated in his view this is a noise <br /> issue but that the City should not ban roosters. <br /> Schoenzeit asked whether the City's noise ordinance could be tightened. <br /> Gaffron stated the City's ordinance matches the state's ordinance and that they would not be able to <br /> change it. <br /> Landgraver asked whether other cities regulate roosters through zoning or through noise ordinances. <br /> Gaffron stated the City Attorney has provided a sample ordinance from another city and that he would not <br /> recommend adoption of all sections of the ordinance. If you deal with this situation under the zoning <br /> section,the rooster would be grandfathered in;whereas, if it is deal with under the animal section,the <br /> rooster does not have to be grandfathered in. Gaffron stated Staff also does not want to pursue licensing <br /> of roosters and other animals. <br /> Page 7 <br />