Laserfiche WebLink
Staff Report <br /> APC# 2618-11 <br /> Owner: Common Council Initiated <br /> Location: Text Amendment <br /> Jurisdiction: City of South Bend <br /> Requested Action: <br /> This is a text change, initiated by the Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana, <br /> amending Chapter 21 of the South Bend Municipal Code Article 2,Residential Districts,to allow <br /> the raising and care of chickens as an accessory use;and adding certain related definitions. <br /> Zoning and land use history& trends: <br /> In November 2009, the idea of allowing the raising and care of chickens was introduced to the <br /> Common Council. For the past three years, the staff of the Area Plan Commission, <br /> representatives from Code Enforcement, other City departments, and the Purdue Cooperative <br /> Extension Service, met with representatives from the Urban Chicken Alliance to draft an <br /> ordinance in the best interest of the City and its residents. <br /> Additional information: <br /> Section I adds the terms "chicken coop or chicken pen" to the list of accessory buildings under <br /> 120 square feet which are exempted from the total number allowed. Section II first provides for <br /> the keeping of chickens. It establishes development standards such as the number and type of <br /> chickens allowed; details about the construction and location of either a "chicken coop" and <br /> "chicken pen"; and permitting requirements. Section III adds definitions of"chicken coop" and <br /> "chicken pen". <br /> Staff Comments: <br /> The staff would note that the proposed setback for the coops will limit the applicability of the <br /> ordinance to the larger city lots. <br /> Recommendation: <br /> Based on information available prior to the public hearing,the staff recommends that the petition <br /> be sent to the Common Council with a favorable recommendation. <br /> Analysis: <br /> The policy decision as to whether or not to allow the keeping of chickens within the city Iimits <br /> rests with the elected officials. In the event that these officials determine that chickens should be <br /> allowed, it is the Staffs opinion that this ordinance provides reasonable protection to adjacent <br /> properties, by establishing appropriate development standards, a process for permitting, and <br /> consequences of violating the ordinance. <br /> Common Council <br /> #2618-11 <br /> Page 1 of 1 <br />