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Council denies petition to keep two Nigerian dwarf goats on Leland Court property
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Summary
The Richmond City Council voted to deny Scott Bell’s request to keep two Nigerian dwarf goats at 67808 Leland Court, citing potential nuisance and impacts on immediate neighbors. The council noted the applicant kept the goats before obtaining permission and said the ordinance gives council discretion to grant or deny livestock permits.
The Richmond City Council denied a petition from Scott Bell to keep two Nigerian dwarf goats at 67808 Leland Court in a vote taken during its July 21 meeting.
City staff introduced the petition and noted the property is about 0.64 acres. The applicant proposed a 40-by-40 pen; the closest adjacent home to the pen is approximately 93 feet to the northeast and another house about 101 feet to the east. Staff said the city’s livestock ordinance requires council permission to keep livestock within city limits.
Several council members said they had visited or reviewed the site and heard from neighbors. Council members noted that three neighboring properties had submitted letters in favor and two had submitted letters opposed. Councilors who supported denial cited potential noise (goat bleating), odor and sanitation concerns, and the close proximity of the pen to neighboring yards.
One councilor said the goats were placed on the property before the applicant sought council permission and said the city intends to revisit its livestock ordinance soon because the current language dates back to a village ordinance from the 1960s. “It’s too bad that the goats were put in there in the first place, without permission,” the councilor said.
Applicant Scott Bell said the animals are two small goats kept for emotional support and that he had invited council and neighbors to view the site. Bell said he had not received complaints to his knowledge and said the goats had been on the property for about two and a half months.
When asked about appeals, staff said the city council is the decision-making body and that a court appeal would be a legal remedy after council action. The council noted the ordinance allows the council to revoke a permit if conditions change or a nuisance is proven.
Outcome and next steps: A motion to deny the petition was made and supported and carried. Councilors said the ordinance language will be reviewed in an upcoming ordinance update. The denial means the applicant may pursue any legal remedies available outside council (staff advised starting with the city for administrative steps and noted that further appeal would be through the courts).
