Commission votes to allow swine in limited zones, grandfather existing livestock

The Planning Commission on July 30 recommended that the city council amend zoning code sections to remove the prohibition on swine and to limit livestock keeping that includes swine to the residential estate zoning district (minimum one‑acre lots).

Director Brent Cooper explained the code distinction between "animal husbandry" (commercial agricultural uses) and "livestock keeping" (personal, on‑property animals) and said the amendment would add swine as an allowable animal in both categories where appropriate while keeping the city's animal‑keeping standards in place to address noise, odors and pests. "The standards themselves require that whatever it is animal you do keep... their standards for managing the noise, odors, insect... can happen if you don't manage the animals well," Cooper said.

Watson Lane resident Leanne Tholke testified in support, describing multi‑generation family farming on Watson Lane and urging the commission to preserve rural traditions: "For families like mine, raising livestock isn't a hobby. It's a way of life," she said. Commissioners asked and staff confirmed that properties with existing livestock would be grandfathered — the use runs with the land — but that future owners would be subject to the new zone limits.

The commission moved and approved a resolution recommending the council remove the swine prohibition, limit livestock keeping with swine to residential estate zoning, and remove obsolete general plan references. The vote was unanimous.