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City of Hastings
Planning Commission Minutes – June 22, 2009 Page 1 of 3
Hastings Planning Commission
June 22, 2009
Regular Meeting
7:00 p.m.
Chair Schmitt called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Roll Call\Approve Agenda
1.
Commissioners Present: McInnis, Peine, Schmitt, Stevens, Vaughn, Zeyen, Bullington
Commissioners Absent: None
Staff Present: Planning Director Hinzman, Associate Planner Fortney
Chair Schmitt noted an amendment to Agenda Item 4 (Lehmann Variance); the item will also
be reviewed for OHDS conformity.
Approval of Minutes
2. –May 26, 2009
Motion by Commissioner Vaughn to approve the May 26, 2009, meeting minutes as
presented. Seconded by Commissioner Zeyen.
Upon vote taken, Ayes 7, Nays 0. Motion carried.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
City of Hastings – Ordinance Amendment #2009-14 – Allow Chickens in the PI Zoning
3.
District.
Associate Planner Fortney provided the staff report. Staff has prepared a draft ordinance for
keeping of chickens in the PI Zoning District, but has also received a request to consider
allowing chickens within residential zoning districts. The Commission may wish to proceed
with the proposed amendment for the PI district only, or may opt to republish the public
hearing to include residential properties.
Chair Schmitt opened the public hearing at 7:03.
Steve Theriault, resident of 108 River Street stated he supports the keeping of chickens in
residential areas; he worked for the Sheriffs Department for 29 years and had responded to
many noise complaints for dogs and none concerning chickens. He added that the City of
Burnsville recently allowed chickens in residential areas and hopes that Hastings will do the
same.
Chair Schmitt closed the public hearing at 7:04.
Commissioner Stevens asked if the proposed ordinance was intended for the PI District only,
City of Hastings
Planning Commission Minutes – June 22, 2009 Page 2 of 3
or if it could be modified for residential areas. Associate Planer Fortney stated the ordinance
would need to be modified.
Commissioner Stevens asked how the proposed 20 chicken limit was derived. Associate
Planner Fortney stated it was based on the request from the LeDuc Historic Estate.
Commissioner Stevens sought clarification on the fence confinement rules; what materials
could be used, where could it be located. Associate Planner Fortney stated the proposed rules
state that chickens must be confined.
Commissioner Zeyen stated he doesn’t want to put too many restrictions on specific materials
for the enclosure.
Chair Schmitt asked if the item were to be expanded to consider keeping of chickens in
residential areas he would like further information on the number allowed, definition of a
chicken coop, and more certainty that waste matter would not be an issue.
Commissioner Vaughn asked if the amendment would be limited to chickens only. Associate
Planner Fortney stated it would.
Motion by Commissioner Zeyen to table review of the ordinance amendment and to direct
staff to republish the public hearing notice expanding the keeping of chickens to residential
districts. Seconded by Commissioner Stevens.
Upon vote taken, Ayes 7, Nays 0. Motion carried.
OTHER ACTIONS
James Lehmann
4. – Variance\OHDS Review #2009-18 – Vary from the 7 foot minimum
rd
sideyard setback for construction of a home addition – 504 West 3 Street.
Associate Planner Fortney provided the staff report.
Chair Schmitt opened the item for any public comment. No one commented.
Chair Schmitt asked if any comments were received from neighboring residents. Associate
Planner Fortney stated no comments were received.
Motion by Commissioner Zeyen to recommend approval Variance\OHDS Review #2009-18
subject to the findings of fact and conditions of the staff report. Seconded by Commissioner
Peine.
Upon vote taken, Ayes 7, Nays 0. Motion carried.
City of Hastings
Planning Commission Minutes – June 22, 2009 Page 3 of 3
Other Business
5.
Discuss Topics for Future Workshop Meeting
– Planning Director Hinzman asked the
Commission if there were any topics they wished to discuss for an upcoming workshop
meeting. Commissioners desired further discussion on signage, solar panels, wind generators,
and holding ponds.
City Council Actions -
Planning Director Hinzman updated the Commission on past City
Council actions and informed them of upcoming items.
Departure of Chair Greg Schmitt –
Planning Director Hinzman reminded the Commission
that this was Chair Schmitt’s last meeting due to term limits. Staff and the Commission
thanked Chair Schmitt for his six years of service.
Adjournment
6.
Motion by Peine to adjourn the June 22, 2009, Planning Commission meeting. Seconded by
Vaughn.
Upon vote taken, Ayes 7, Nays 0. Motion carried.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:25 p.m.
Next Planning Commission Meeting – Monday, July 13, 2009
Respectfully submitted,
____________________________
John Hinzman
Recording Secretary