Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Zoning topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council discusses targeted code changes for large-lot small-animal husbandry and food access, asks for focused outreach
Summary
Staff presented potential zoning amendments aimed at large (3.3-acre) lots to allow limited increases in small animals with neighbor approval, possible temporary male-fowl allowances, and clarified rules for community gardens and farmers markets; council asked for focused outreach to large-lot owners and consideration of overlay districts and grandfathering.
Principal Planner Malini Sims led a study-session presentation on possible zoning code amendments related to small-animal husbandry and food access. Staff framed the discussion around large lots (3.3 acres and larger, R144), where farms are already permitted, and described options under consideration:
- Allowing up to a 50% increase in the number of small animals on large lots with neighbor acceptance (using a postcard/notification process similar to minor residential setback approvals); increases above 50% would still require a conditional-use permit. - Considering a limited allowance for male fowl (roosters) on large lots only (examples from other jurisdictions allow roosters up to four months old before maturity/crowing) and seeking public outreach on that point. - Permitting small-scale on-site food processing for personal consumption on large lots, while requiring a conditional-use permit for commercial processing or sales. - Defining and expanding allowances for community gardens, farmers markets, food banks and mobile food pantries as ancillary uses to churches, schools and non-profits and clarifying standards for fencing, lighting and abandonment.
Council discussion focused on geographic variation among R144 lots (some are long-established farm neighborhoods; others are non-agricultural large lots), notification and neighbor-consent mechanics, potential grandfathering of existing farms, HOA authority and overlay-district options. Councilmembers asked staff to conduct targeted outreach to large-lot owners, explore overlay-district mapping for areas where farming is already part of neighborhood character, and return with draft code language after focused community engagement.
