5/4/1998 - Laserfiche WebLink

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WOK 5. Affordable Housing Changes to Match New Comprehensive Plan Policies The changes proposed to the affordable housing density bonus LDRs are needed to reflect recently adopted comprehensive plan policy changes that address the same subject. Thus, these changes are needed to bring the LDRs into compliance with the comprehensive plan. Staff Recommendation: Adopt the changes to bring the LDRs into compliance with adopted comprehensive plan changes. PSAC Recommendation: Voted 6-0 for the same recommendation as staff. PZC Recommendation: Voted 7-0 for the same recommendation as staff. 6. Household Pet Definition & Non -Commercial Kennels At its February 26, 1998 meetinglthe Planning and Zoning Commission voted to deny an administrative permit request to establish a non-commercial kennel on a .3 acre residential parcel. That request included the keeping of potbellied pigs in an outside pen. The Commission denied the request primarily due to the relatively small size of the site. It should be noted that the Commission's decision was appealed by the applicant to the Board of County Commissioners. At its March 24, 1998 meetingthe Board heard the appeal, agreed with the Planning and Zoning Commission and upheld the Commission's denial. After denying the request, the Commission directed staff to research changes to the LDRs to establish a minimum parcel size for non-commercial kennels. Staff has researched non- commercial kennel regulations of other jurisdictions and has coordinated with county animal control regarding kennel regulations and the regulation of potbellied pigs. Staff's research findings indicate that the county's existing kennel and household pet regulations are fairly lenient in comparison with other jurisdictions. Current county regulations allow non-commercial kennels in all residential districts with minimal specific criteria (see attachment #7). Staff's research indicates that some jurisdictions do not address pet and animal care issues in their zoning codes. Those jurisdictions that do either prohibit non-commercial kennels in residential districts or allow them on larger sized parcels such as the 1 acre parcel size minimum required in St. Lucie County. Research also indicates that setbacks for indoor and outdoor pet housing structures should be established consistent with the county's current setbacks for commercial kennels (e.g. 75' for outdoor structures). Also, staff has received information from Animal Control and The Humane Society regarding pot-bellied pigs. Both agencies have stated that national and local experience shows that pot-bellied pigs simply cannot be maintained as normal household pets, because as pigs age their "swine instincts" (e.g. rooting) become more pronounced. The experience of these agencies, and agencies across the nation, is that mature pot-bellied pigs become large and unmanageable for keeping within a house and are eventually kept outside in a pig pen and are simply let go or escape. Animal Control and The Humane Society recommend that pot-bellied pigs be specifically categorized as livestock and be allowed only where livestock are allowed (e.g. agricultural areas). The proposed LDR changes specifically categorize pot-bellied pigs as livestock and provide stricter criteria for non-commercial kennels. May 4,1998