SR 06:015 - Laserfiche WebLink

DISCUSSION Staff believes the proposed Code alTlendlTlent to allo"\N the keeping of hens, subject to the proposed standards, is supportable 0 Belo"\N is some general information related to the keeping ot- chickens, information regarding the proposed standards, and inforITlation regarding the proposed approval processo Please refer to the attached Planning COITlmission staff report for additional details. The Coop Staff has researched inforITlation on coop (chicken housing) designo The design of the ideal coop should protect the chickens frOlTl rain, "\Nind, and telTlperature extremes. There should be perches adequately spaced and arranged so that the chickens can perch comfortably 0 Chickens appear to do better "\Nhen they roost at night up off the ground, "\Nhich is the natural "\Nay for a bird to sleepo Having the coop elevated reportedly helps to prevent external parasites and the chickens from lying in their o~n droppingso Stra"\N or ~ood chippings should be spread under the perches and should be changed on a regular basis, Life Cycle Noise Staff has conducted various noise readings from the previous projects to provide an understanding of the type, sound levels, and noise fluctuations neighbors may experienceo The results of these noise ITleaSUrelTlents sho~ed that, although the chickens ~ere not audible for ITlOSt of the testing, they ITlade a ITlinilTlal level of noise "\Nhen prodded to obtain a recordable noise reading that exceeded the base readingso Prodding involved handling the chickens and causing thelTl to be nervous, ~hich resulted in a squa~king ot- sorts. These noises registered a 63 dBA "\Nhen standing t~o feet a"\Nay frOlTl the chickens. At apprOXilTlately nine feet a~ay, the noise level ~ould not register. These readings are representative ot- the noise levels that a neighborhood could be expected to experienceo The Pleasanton Municipal Code limits the dBA in residential districts to no greater than 60 dBA, ~ith a daytime exception up to 70 dBA at the property lineo The noise readings not only sho"\N that nOrITlal chicken noises are ~ithin the maXilTlUlTl allo"\Ned by the PMC, but that they are also generally less than the VOIUITle of a nOrITlal conversation. Dailv routine and ezz oroduction Hens lay one egg each per day. The activity of producing an egg requires the hen to nest (in a nesting box or other suitable place) and involves a short strenuous push frOlTl the heno The hens are ITlOSt audible during this activit Yo The process to lay one egg takes about ten ITlinutes "\Nith only a ITlinute or so of cackling after the egg is laido Chickens are routine anilTlals "\Nhen SR06:015 Page 3 of7