18 ATTACHMENT 13 - Laserfiche WebLink

PAUP-2, Alonzo R. Hudson Application for an animal use permit to allow four chickens (hens) to be kept in an enclosed area in the rear yard of an existing residence located at 1021 Malaga Court. Zoning for the property is R-1-6,500 (Single-Family Residential) District. Commissioners Arkin, Roberts, Maas, and Fox disclosed that they had individually visited the applicant's home and saw the chickens. Commissioner Blank disclosed that he drove by the residence and had received an invitation to see the chickens but did not do so. Ms. Decker summarized the staff report and described the background of this application. She noted that the applicants already had four hens, and the permit would allow them to keep them. The chickens were pets for the children and that the egg production of one per hen per day was a side benefit. Staff visited the site and investigated the construction of the coop facilities and daily routines; staff found the grounds to be well maintained. The project was noticed with a 1,000-foot radius. Some emails were received with concerns about this project. Staff found that the grounds were well maintained, that the applicants have been considerate to their neighbors, and that this request met the intent of the Pleasanton Municipal Code. Staff recommended approval of this item. Alonzo Hudson, applicant, noted that the chickens were a good organic way to deal with the slugs and snails in his yard and that they were good pets for his children. He added that they were educational for the entire family. He noted that one complaint had been received from a neighbor, Mr. Felder, and noted that they had addressed his concern. The coop has since been fully enclosed. He noted that a complaint had been received from a neighbor who lived relatively far away from his house, and he believed that the neighbor may have heard other neighbors' chickens instead. He did not believe that Mr. Scott's concerns pertained to them. He added that the entire family was very conscious of their neighbors and tried to treat them as they would like to be treated. Haley Hudson, 1021 Malaga Court, applicant's daughter, requested approval of this item and noted that she had learned a lot from her chickens. She was very fond of her family's chickens and said that they took good care of them. She enjoyed seeing the hens sitting on the nests and finding the eggs. In response to an inquiry by Commissioner Roberts whether the family dog bothered the chickens, Haley replied that the dog and the chickens co-existed peacefully. Sophie Hudson, 1021 Malaga Court, applicant's daughter, stated that the chickens were like part of their family and hoped that they would be able to keep them. Vanessa Kawaihu, 871 Sycamore Road, spoke in support of this application and noted that the area had a long tradition of having chickens on the properties. She noted that they were an organic way of fertilizing and controlling bugs. She added that this is a good project for children and teaches them where food comes from; they can also share the experience with their friends. EXCERPTS: PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES, October 19, 2005 Page I of 3