18 ATTACHMENT 13 - Laserfiche WebLink

Commissioner Blank inquired if the. noise in the pen would be attenuated if a two-foot high sound-proofing material were installed azound the bottom of the circumference of the coop area. Officer Ficken replied that it could work but that planting hedges azound the azea would do the same job, look more attractive, and blend in better with the backyazd. Commissioner Roberts noted that the chickens can be noisy, especially when they lay eggs; however, noise is not an issue because they are pets. She commented that some of the neighbors are oversensitive and that they should close their windows if they find the chickens to be noisy. She indicated that she visited the site and found the backyard to be clean and an excellent place in which to put the chickens; she also noted that having the chickens walk freely in the backyard to be completely inoffensive as should the chickens escape into the courtyazd, they would not pose a threat to the children as dogs might. She stated that the permit could be limited to the four chickens that are already there. Commissioner Blank stated that he would like to have the applicant plant short hedges azound the coop to attenuate the noise and inquired about Condition No. 4 regarding not allowing the chickens to roam freely in the reaz yazd. Ms. Nerland quoted Chapter 7.36.040 of the Pleasanton Municipal Code and explained that its intent is to disallow fowl to roam freely outside the owner's property lines. Ms. Decker stated that what staffrecommends is that the chickens not be limited to being enclosed in their coop but be allowed to roam within the environs of the backyard, which has a six-foot tall fence. Commissioner Blank suggested that there be an adult present when the chickens aze allowed to roam in the backyard. Acting Chairperson Arkin commented that this was a difficult case for him because he does not want to live next to chickens but would like to have the Beckers keep their pet chickens. He indicated that he was in favor of approving the proposal so long as conditions could be put to effect the least impact on the neighborhood, such as limiting the conditional use permit to the existing chickens or allowing only two chickens in perpetuity. Commissioner Pearce noted that in the 4-H Fryers program, the children come back without the chickens. She stated that different people have different sensitivities and that while there might be noise concerns with some neighbors, the sensitivity of two neighbors should not determine the outcome of the permit. She added that she had talked to an adjacent neighbor who indicated that they could neither smell nor heaz the chickens. Ms. Decker suggested an alternative wherein the Commission would approve the four chickens and then have the matter come back before the Commission in 18 months for an update on the impacts of the use permit. EXCERPTS: PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES, July 27, 2005 Page 5 of b