18 ATTACHMENT 13 - Laserfiche WebLink

PAUP-1, Mark and Kristina Becker Application for conditional use permit to allow four chickens at an existing single-family residence located at 2598 Skimmer Court. Zoning for the property is R-1-6,500 (Single-Family Residential) District. Ms. Decker summarized the staff report and described the background and scope of the application. She indicated that only hens would be kept, and there would be no roosters on the property. The chickens would be maintained as pets to obtain fresh eggs and to allow the children to participate in the County Fair and other community activities. Fowl are a conditionally permitted use in single-family residential districts, and that use is consistent with the provisions of the Pleasanton Municipal Code. The City responded to a call regarding the chickens, and Mr. Roy Ficken, Senior Animal Control Officer, who is in attendance, visited the subject site and would describe his observations. Staff believed this particular site provided the ability to keep and maintain these animals so that the number did not seem to cause damage or hazard to persons around the area; they did not seem to generate offensive noises, dust, and odors due to maintenance; the proposed project met the standards. Staff recommended that the Planning Commission make the required use permit findings and approve this application subject to the conditions and plans in the staff report. In response to an inquiry by Commissioner Arkin regarding a potential time limit of this use, Ms. Decker replied that use permits run with the land. Roy Ficken, Senior Animal Control Officer, responded to Commissioner Blank's inquiry about alternate methodologies to allow chickens and noted that it must be a conditional use permit. He looked for cleanliness and humane conditions. In response to an inquiry by Chairperson Maas whether rats would be attracted to the feed, Mr. Ficken replied that he did not make that inquiry. He believed this was a very nice setup, and bushes were planted to mitigate the sound. He visited the site unannounced. He noted that all animals make noise and that the daughter was playing with the chickens. He noted that there was considerable distance between the coop and the neighbors. The Sports Park is located directly north of the subject site. THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS OPENED. Mark Becker, 2598 Skimmer Court, applicant, noted that his children raised the chickens for the eggs and for 4-H activities and added that they were well maintained. He noted that the coop was far from other properties and that noise did not seem to be a problem. He noted that the debris left on the ground at the sports park attracted rodents and did not believe the four chickens would be a factor. He added that Pleasanton had experienced rodent infestations before. Brianne Becker, 2598 Skimmer Court, applicant's daughter, noted that she enjoyed being in ~-H and would like to be a veterinarian. She noted that chickens were secured in their coops (house) and that they were very quiet at night so predators would not find them and that her brothers and she were very careful with them. Elawk Becker. 298 Skimmer Court, applicant's son, stated that he enjoyed the chickens and that they got eggs every morning. EXCERPTS: PL:~NNING CUMh1ISS[(~N MEECING ~1f'~t: CES. June 22. ~'UU~ Pace I uf~