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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Minutes - Planning Commission - Meeting Date: 12/1/2016WORKSHOP MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION GLENDALE COUNCIL CHAMBERS 5850 WEST GLENDALE AVENUE DECEMBER 1, 2016 5:15PM CALL TO ORDER Vice Chairperson Dobbelaere called the meeting to order at approximately 5:15pm. ROLL CALL Commissioners Present: Commissioners Gallegos, Harper, Hirsch, Lenox, Moreno (arrived at 5:39pm), and Vice Chairperson Dobbelaere. Commissioners Absent: None City Staff Present: Tabitha Perry, Assistant Planning Director, Thomas Ritz, AICP, Senior Planner, Jim Gruber, Chief Deputy City Attorney, Sam McAllen, Development Services Director, and Diana Figueroa, Recording Secretary. ITEM: 1. ZONING ORDINANCE TEXT AMENDMENT (ZTA) — ZTA16-02 - CHICKENS — CITY- WIDE T'abitha Perry, Assistant Planning Director, provided some opening comments. She said this was a Special Planning Commission Workshop that is being televised as well as being held at City Hall to accommodate interested parties. She stated staff would present their findings on this zoning ordinance text amendment and answer the Commissioners' questions. Thomas Ritz, AICP, Senior Planner, presented a request by the City of Glendale to amend the Zoning Ordinance to permit chickens in all single-family residential zoning districts. He said this new zoning text amendment will carry out the direction and guidance of the Mayor and City Council as expressed during the City Council Workshop on January 19, 2016, to allow chickens. He noted that this new zoning text amendment will permit chickens in all single-family residential zoned areas. He stated that chickens currently are allowed only in neighborhoods that are zoned Agricultural (A-1), Rural Residential (RR -90, RR -45) and Suburban Residential (SR -30, SR -17, SR -12). He explained that at the August 4, 2015 Council Workshop, Councilmember Turner identified a Council item of Special Interest asking staff to research allowing chickens in residential neighborhoods. He said staff provided City Council with a presentation on this topic at their January 19, 2016 Council Workshop meeting. He noted that at this meeting, staff received guidance from Council to proceed with a Zoning Text Amendment to permit chickens in all single-family residential neighborhoods. He explained that the criteria were as follows: They are to allow a reasonable number of chickens, hens only (no roosters) and they are to be kept in fences or cages. He said that residents are not to override HOA rules or existing nuisance codes regarding noise and odor. He said that staff has prepared a matrix of requirements in other nearby jurisdictions. He explained that over the last three fiscal years, Code Compliance has responded to 180 cases relating to chickens; however, over the same three fiscal years, Code Compliance has responded to 864 cases relating to dogs, and approximately 21,650 total cases. Commissioner Harper asked how chicken complaints were handled. He asked if they were handled like dog barking complaints. Mr. Sam McAllen, Development Services Director, stated they were handled the same way for animal noise for either chickens or dogs. Mr. Ritz stated that a neighborhood meeting to discuss this proposal was held on August 17, 2016 in the City Council Chambers. Mr. Ritz noted this was a meeting to provide Council with comments from the Commission and to help answer any questions. He asked if there was general support from the Commission to allow chickens in all single-family residential homes given the information being provided today. Vice Chairperson Dobbelaere stated that was a very difficult question to answer. He said that it would depend on three key issues. He said the size of the lot was very important, as well as the distance from the neighbor's yard, and the amount of chickens being allowed. He said that these three issues will impact the decision of some of the Commissioners and the neighbors. Commissioner Harper agreed with Vice Chair Dobbelaere's remarks. He said to have 20 chickens in a small yard would not make his neighbors happy. He agreed there has to be stipulations on yard size and distance from neighbors. Commissioner Hirsch stated it would seem appropriate to craft a proposed ordinance with designated backyard areas only, hens, no roosters and set amount of chickens. He recommends drafting an ordinance that is not for a specific residential zoning code but to rather an occupied residential dwelling. Additionally, he said that any hen coop should adhere to house structure guidelines. He recommended a formula for lot footage to make it easy for code compliance to enforce. Commissioner Harper asked if this ordinance included geese or ducks. Mr. Ritz stated the zoning ordinance was only for chickens; however, it was up to the Council and Commission to modify to include other animals. Vice Chairperson Dobbelaere reiterated the lot size as being a major concern. Commissioner Gallegos agreed that should this move forward; it should be based on lot size and require fencing. He added that chickens should not be categorized as pets in the ordinance. Commissioner Hirsch agreed. Mr. Ritz asked what would be a reasonable amount of chickens. Vice Chairperson Dobbelaere stated that the amount should be based upon lot size. Mr. Ritz explained that most of the calls he received regarding chickens were in the R1-6 zoning district. He asked if the Commissioners believe staff should look at other districts. Commissioner Hirsch reiterated his earlier comments regarding anchoring the ordinance to an occupied residential dwelling which will allow for more flexibility. Commissioner Lenox commented on the amount of chickens and what happens to older chickens. He had concerns with chicken over flow. Commissioner Hirsch noted that most chicken owners were 2 responsible and very caring of their animals. However, such as with everything else, you will get some neglectful owners. Mr. Ritz asked for any additional comments or questions. There were none. Mr. Ritz explained that staff will present the results of the Planning Commission Workshop at a City Council Workshop meeting to discuss specific options related to the Zoning Text Amendment. City Council will have the opportunity to modify proposed options and then will be asked to provide direction to staff on which option they would like to move forward for Zoning Text Amendment consideration. He thanked the Commissioners for their input. REPORTS AND COMMENTS Vice Chairperson Dobbelaere called 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 Hirsch seconded the motion, which was approved unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 5:41pm. 3