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Council debates allowing residential hens; asks staff for lot‑size analysis and possible restrictions
Summary
Council members discussed whether to amend city code to allow egg‑laying hens in residential areas, weighing neighborhood impacts, HOA rules and enforcement options; staff will return with data on lot sizes and draft options including setbacks and limits on bird counts.
Minnetrista City Council held an extended discussion on whether to allow residents to keep egg‑laying hens in residential zones and asked staff to return with more detailed options that reflect local lot sizes and HOA rules.
City staff explained current code treats chickens as farm animals and that most of the city is zoned agricultural where farm animals are permitted; residential zones prohibit farm animals unless a parcel is 10 acres or larger. Staff presented a simple ordinance option — allowing three laying hens per residential lot — and reported feedback from peer lake communities recommending straightforward rules without a separate permitting regime.
Why it matters: Allowing backyard hens affects neighborhood quality‑of‑life issues (noise, smell, rodents), HOA covenants and property setbacks. Council members said they wanted to avoid a burdensome permitting program and not create circumstances that would spur frequent neighbor complaints or city inspection workloads.
Council commentary identified competing concerns. Some council members said residents already keep hens informally without complaints and favored a modest, simple allowance (several councilmembers suggested limits of two or three hens and setbacks so coops are in rear yards). Other members warned about predators, pests and the need to ensure coops are secured and maintained; several councilmembers emphasized that any city rule must not override private HOA covenants and suggested requiring owners to comply with HOAs.
Staff also noted precedent: several comparable communities allow hens with setbacks and limits and some require permits and inspections; Minneapolis and Saint Paul perform inspections, which staff said would create enforcement and workload implications the council preferred to avoid.
Council direction and next steps: The council asked staff to return with an analysis of how many residential lots in developed neighborhoods (examples cited included Turtle Creek, Hunter’s Crest and Woodland Cove) would meet potential lot‑size thresholds (council discussed quarter‑acre, one‑third‑acre and half‑acre options), recommended maximum bird counts (staff suggested starting at two birds for smaller lots), setback options, and draft ordinance language that preserves HOA authority. Council asked staff not to hold a public hearing at this stage and to present simple, implementable choices.
Ending: Staff will provide a follow‑up report with count of eligible lots by threshold, recommended setbacks and draft text so the council can pick an approach.
