Agenda - Council - 12/13/2016 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Non-traditional or exotic animals,which are animals that are not normally considered to be domesticated but are not wild animals(e.g.bears, lions,tigers etc.),require the issuance of a Non-Traditional Animal License to be maintained on a parcel.A pot-bellied pig, a different breed of pig than the more traditional swine (agricultural/livestock breeds)and more commonly raised as a pet rather than for meat,would be considered a non-traditional animal. In reviewing a request for a Non-Traditional Animal License,the City may impose conditions and restrictions as it finds necessary,including but not limited to the number and type of animals; greater setbacks than normal;restrictions on the size,height,and type of enclosures; and screening or landscaping of the proposed use. The consideration of a Non-Traditional Animal License to maintain a pot-bellied pig does not create an exception,nor is it a variance,to any standard of City Code. The provisions of Chapter 10(Animals) provide the City the flexibility to consider a request of this nature and an animal of this type through a licensing process. The Applicant has a mix of traditional pets and a non-traditional pet(pot-bellied pig) on the Subject Property. In addition to the pot-bellied pig,the Applicant also has: •Eight(8)chickens •Based on the size of the Subject Property, the Applicant would be eligible to maintain up to thirty-two (32)chickens. •Three (3)rabbits •Two(2)outdoor cats •One (1)dog All residential parcels within the City are eligible to maintain up to three (3)dogs without a Private Kennel License. City Code does not currently restrict or limit the number of cats or rabbits that can be maintained on a property. When formulating a recommendation, Staff compared similar sized animals and the impacts to the parcel and surrounding area.While City Code attempts to assign an'animal unit'based on size and waste production, pot-bellied pig is not specifically listed. That being said, information provided by the Applicant and a cursory review of information by Staff seems to indicate that this animal is comparable to a medium sized dog in terms of size and waste produced. The amount of animals on the parcel appears reasonable for the amount of animals allowed by code. The Applicant has indicated that they manage manure from both the chickens and the pot-bellied pig on a regular basis by collecting it every two days and compost it in a composting bin. Wood chips are added to the manure and the heat from the sunlight assists with the composting process. The finished product is utilized on the Subject Property as a soil amendment in the flower beds,lawn,and wooded areas. The Applicant also has an agreement with a local business that is willing to accept the manure and compost it on their property at no cost to the Applicant. Staff is recommending this alternative. Accessory Buildings The Applicant has installed two(2)detached accessory structures to provide shelter for the outdoor animals. There is an eight foot by sixteen foot(8'x 16')chicken coop (also provides shelter for the two cats) and a four foot by four foot(4'x 4') shelter for the pot-bellied pig. The total square footage for detached accessory buildings on the Subject Property(144 sq. ft.)is well below what City Code allows(2,400 sq. ft.). The two structures have T1-11 cedar siding and are painted to match the color scheme of the home.Both structures are located within a brown, chain link fence enclosure that provides ample exercise space for the animals while also preventing them from running at large. The enclosure and structures are centrally located on the Subject Property and are well screened from the public road and adjacent properties by existing tree cover. It appears that the chicken coop structure does have electricity and there is no record of an Electrical Permit being issued. The Applicant has been informed of this and is working on submitting the necessary application and paperwork to resolve this matter. This may result in corrections to the electrical system. Home Owner's Association(HOA) The Northfork neighborhood is part of an HOA,which does have it's own set of private covenants. An HOA is able