Friday, March 29, 2024

Chicken ordinance proposed

Pateros Council approves review of zoning code updates

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PATEROS – City contract planner Kurt Danison appeared before the regular monthly meeting of the city council on Tuesday, Feb. 19, to explain proposed zoning code changes recommended by the city’s Planning Committee.

Danison said that during a January public hearing the Planning Committee received comments on three issues, a rezone of school district property; increased density on R-3 (mixed family residential); and chickens and/or small mammals allowed in residential zones.

Regarding increased density on R-3 property the Planning Committee recommended modifications to current R-3 zones to allow 18 dwelling units per acre, up from the present 15 unit maximum.

With respect to chickens and/or small mammals the Planning Committee added new regulations allowing the livestock subject to conditions.

Council member Megan Sherrard introduced a Pateros Poultry and Small Mammals Proposal with additions by City Administrator Jord Wilson. The proposal recommends chickens only – no roosters or ducks – and limits small mammals to rabbits – no guinea pigs, ferrets or other similar type animals – for Pateros residents. It also lists the chicken codes for the neighboring communities of Bridgeport, Brewster, Chelan and Omak, all of which allow chickens in quantities of four or six birds maximum.

The proposed ordinance recommends a permit fee of $35 and annual relicensing fee of $10. It outlines requirements for coops and restricts the keeping of chickens and rabbits in R-1, R-2, and R-3 zones only.

On the issue of the school district property rezone request, the Planning Committee was unable to reach a consensus to members deferred to the council to make that decision.

The school property rezone request did include several letters supporting the change from its current status of Light Industrial (LI) to Public Use (PU). The district purchased the eight-acre Field of Dreams along Industrial Way in 1990 to use as a future football field.

One supporter, Grace Larsen, Chair of the school district’s Board of Directors wrote that while it is possible to develop athletic fields under the current LI zoning “Public Use zoning gives us greater ability as Educational Facility/entity to manage the discretionary use of the property and therefore manage our liability and use.”

Another Public Use supporter, Gene Dowers, Executive Director of the Pateros-Brewster Community Resource Center wrote that “the best use of this property is for the betterment of the students of the school and of the community in general. In making it a Public Use parcel the opportunity for general benefit is preserved.”

Finally, Pateros School Superintendent Greg Goodnight weighed in with his support of Public Use zoning so “the Pateros Board of Directors have the flexibility to use this land in the best interest of our students with due respect given to pressing needs of the community.”

Another recommendation in the zoning recommendation is greater flexibility for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). ADU refers to “a small separate living unit accompanying the primary residence or business, or dwelling permitted on a lot of minimum size or larger having its own living area, kitchen and toilet and bathroom facilities,” according to “Definitions” in the 40-page Zoning Code Update draft.

The relaxed ADU changes are “designed to meet a need for an alternative form of housing without compromising the existing character or appearance of single-family residential neighborhoods,” the draft said.

Council members approved the updated zoning draft for submission to the Department of Commerce for a 60-day review. Following approval by Commerce a public hearing will be held before the council takes further action on the changes.

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