12-05-12 Health & Public Safety and Zoning & Annexation

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HEALTH & PUBLIC SAFETY DECEMBER 5,2012 ZONING&ANNEXATION 5:00 P.M. Health&Public Safety Committee Members Present: Dr. Fred Ferlic, Henry Davis, Citizen Member Kyle Chamberlin Zoning &Annexation Committee Members Present: Oliver Davis, Dr. Fred Ferlic, Other Council Members Present: Valerie Schey, Derek Dieter, Oliver Davis Others Present: Christa Nayder, Scott Palmer, Brian Hoover, Karen Shulte-Coman, Myles Robertson, Joe Coman, Maggie Coman, Rose Coman, Delia Wilson, Susan Greutman, Henry Davis, Sr., John Brady, Kathy Cekanski-Farrand, Professor Hudak, Jill St. John Agenda: Bill No. 74-11 Amend Code Chapter 21 Urban Chickens This is a join hearing of the Zoning&Annexation Committee and the Health &Public Safety Committee to hear Bill No. 74-11 which would amend the City Code to allow chickens in the city. Councilmember Oliver Davis, Chair of the Zoning&Annexation Committee opened the hearing by describing the parameters for discussion. First a brief report from the Area Plan Commission, next the formal presentation followed by speakers for and against each given three minutes to voice support or opposition. Council comments or questions would follow. Oliver called upon Christa Nayder for the APC report. She explained while the APC recommended favorably, they qualified the opinion. The APC felt that while the form and process of the petition were properly constructed they as a plan commission chose not to weigh-in on the appropriateness of the policy. Christa reported that 9 people spoke in favor of the bill while only one spoke in opposition. Oliver asked if surrounding towns dealt with the issue. Christa said there were no communities in the area with ordinances allowing"urban chickens." Oliver then asked Henry Davis to prelude the formal presentation. Henry said the effort to allow chickens in the City under the strictures of 74-11 was a long over 2 year process. He said this bill represented a progressive idea already practiced in other places around the country. It was promoted by the fact that without neighborhood grocery stores, access to good healthy food was in short supply. Oliver next called for those in support of the bill to come forward and speak.