HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Minutes - Planning Commission - Meeting Date: 9/1/2016WORKSHOP MINUTES
PLANNING COMMISSION
GLENDALE CITY COTJNCIL CHAMBERS
5850 WEST GLENDALE AVENUE
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER t, 2016
5:15 PM
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at approximately 5:17 pm.
ROLL CALL
Commissioners Present: Commissioners Al Lenox, Rick Harper, Gary Hirsch, Jack Gallegos,
David Moreno, and Vice Chairperson Arthur Dobbelaere were in attendance. Commissioner David
Moreno was absent and Chairperson Steve Johnston was absent and excused.
City Staff Present: Tabitha Perry, Assistant Planning Director, James Gruber, Chief Deputy City
Attorney, Thomas Ritz, AICP, Senior Planner, and Diana Figueroa, Recording Secretary.
ITEM:
I. ZONING ORDINANCE TEXT AMENDMENT (ZTA) 2TAT6.02 - CHICKENS - CITY-
WIDE
A request by the City of Glendale to amend the Zoning Ordinance to permit chickens in all
single-family residential zoning districts. StaffContact: Thomas Ritz, AICP, Senior Planner.
Mr. Thomas Ritz, AICP, Senior Planner, presented this item. Mr. Ritz reviewed the current zoning
requirements stating that chickens currently are allowed only in neighborhoods with Agriculturd
A-1, Rural Residential RR-90 and RR-45, and Suburban Residential SR-30, SR-17, and SR-12
zoning designations.
He said at the August 4,2015 Council Workshop, Councilmember Tumer identified a Council ltem
of Special Interest asking staff to research the possibility of allowing chickens in residential
neighborhoods. Staff provided City Council with a presentation on this topic at their January 19,
2016 Council Workshop. At this meeting, staff received guidance from Council to proceed with a
ZoningText Amendment to permit chickens in all single-family residential neighborhoods.
Mr. Ritz said a neighborhood meeting was held on August 17, 2016, to discuss this proposal. He
provided the Commission with a tentative schedule regarding 2TA16-02.
He said the Council established the following criteria suggesting only hens be allowed and should be
fenced or caged. He said approval of 2TA16-02 would not override homeowners associations'
rules. Also, he said this would allow a reasonable number of chickens. Mr. Ritz said existing
nuisance codes regarding noise and odor would apply.
IvIr. Ritz stated some questions the Commission might want to consider are is there general support
for the allowing of chickens in all single family zoning districts, are there any criteria that the
Planning Commission Workshop Minutes
September 1,2016
Commission would suggest be considered by the Council when evaluating allowing chickens in all
residential zoning districts, any suggestions or comments relative to the proposed zoning districts
included or excluded by this proposal, and are there any remaining concerns or need for additional
information.
Vice Chairperson Dobbelaere asked if the Commission had any questions.
Commissioner Hirsch asked what is considered to be a "reasonableo' number. Mr. Ritz said this
would be a matter of opinion as some define a reasonable number to be too few and others too many.
Commissioner Hirsch referred to an analysis of the ten largest cities in the valley to see how they
addressed the issue regarding chickens. He suggested staff examine ordinances from other
jurisdictions to gain some helpful information and provide this information to guide the Planning
Commission.
Commissioner Hirsch asked if Code Compliance had received complaints regarding chickens. Mr.
Ritz said he would check with that division to see if they have outstanding complaints.
Vice Chairperson Dobbelaere commented on the neighborhood meeting held on August 17,2016.
Mr. Ritz said 85 people were in attendance and many comment cards were received by staff. He
said those invited to attend the neighborhood meeting were Homeowners Associations and those on
the city's Interested Parties lists.
Vice Chairperson Dobbelaere asked what concems those in attendance had regarding this ZTA. Mr.
Ritz said those in attendance cited noise, odor, and the potential of property values decreasing.
Vice Chairperson Dobbelaere confirmed this text amendment would only address chickens and no
other types of animals. Mr. Ritz said yes.
Commissioner Gallegos asked if chickens would be addressed under "pets" or livestock". Mr. Ritz
said this would be a freestanding element in the zoningcode addressing only chickens.
Vice Chairperson Dobbelaere confirmed that any future concems regarding other types of animals
would need to be addressed in a separate text amendment. Mr. Ritz said yes.
Vice Chairperson Dobbelaere stated that regardless of the city's decision, the homeowners
associations' rules would override anything the city was to allow. IvIr. Ritz said yes.
Ms. Perry asked the Commission if there were any questions or further information they request
from city staff in order to help make a determination of the proposed zoning text amendment. She
added the information provided may have been too vague and clarification might be needed before a
determination can be made or recommended. She asked the Commission if it would be feasible for
staff to conduct further research and provide their findings to the Planning Commission in a
memorandum.
Planning Commission Workshop Minutes
September 1,2016
Vice Chairperson Dobbelaere confirmed the Commission needed more detailed information.
Commissioner Lenox agreed.
Commissioner Hirsch added those residents who have chickens are currently in violation and it
would be difficult to expect them to attend a public meeting and voice an opinion. He added that the
number of participants at a public hearing does not appear to reflect the true number of those who
are interested in this topic.
Commissioner Hirsch said he would accept a memorandum with additional information. The
Commission agreed.
REPORTS AND COMMENTS
Vice Chairperson Dobbelaere asked for Reports and Comments. There were none.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, Vice Chairperson Dobbelaere called for a motion to adjourn.
Commissioner Harper made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Lenox seconded
the motion, which was approved unanimously.
The meeting adjoumed at 5:37p.m.