DATE: September 17, 2015
TO: Planning Commission
FROM: Planning Manager
SUBJECT
Title
Amendments to Hayward's Livestock Regulations
Recommendation
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Planning Commission reviews and provides input on this report.
Body
SUMMARY
In response to General Plan policy that encourages access to healthy foods, and related to current trends and practices in other jurisdictions, the City is considering updating its livestock regulations (Section 10-1.2735.e of the Hayward Municipal Code) to encourage more keeping of chickens in residential areas in Hayward This work session before the Planning Commission and another work session scheduled before the City Council on September 15 will provide opportunity to take public comment and receive feedback and direction from City policy and decision makers. Issues that have been previously identified by staff and the public, including during an August 18 public meeting at City Hall, include:
* The lack of a distinction between small livestock, such as chickens and ducks, and large livestock, such as cattle and horses, means that the setback standards for small livestock may be in excess of what is needed to ensure compatibility with nearby residences, and are certainly in excess of current industry standards. Current regulations require a forty foot separation between a chicken coop and any residence.
* The current requirement and process for a discretionary administrative use permit to keep chickens is overly burdensome and costly, and requires unnecessary staff time, and does not provide certainty for applicants.
* The public noticing requirement that all property owners and residents within 300 feet of a parcel where chickens are proposed to be kept is seen as excessive.
Staff has identified two alternatives to the current permit process, which are detailed in this report. The first would simplify the permit process to ...
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