Department of Community Development
Reference: Goat Keeping Pilot Program
To: Mayor Gregory Mills and Members of City Council
Through: Jane Bais DiSessa, City Manager
Marv Falconburg, AICP, Deputy City Manager
Holly Prather, AICP, Community Development Director
Prepared By: Shannon McDowell, Long Range Planner
Date Prepared: January 25, 2021
PURPOSE
City Council will consider the creation of a pilot program and allowances for existing structures for miniature goat keeping on single-family residential properties in the City.
STRATEGIC FOCUS AREA
● Recognizable and Well-Planned Community
BACKGROUND
At first reading of the goat keeping pilot program ordinance, the discussion among City Council members indicated a clear desire to allow flexibility for existing buildings used for goat keeping that do not meet the proposed ten foot setback from a side or rear property line. City staff is now proposing more clarity with respect to existing buildings to ensure this is consistently applied.
City staff is proposing two clarifications to paragraph (3) f. (iii) for consideration. First is a clarification that the ten foot shelter and enclosure setback would not apply for a property line abutting an alley or right-of-way. The alley provides a separation between properties that serves the same purpose as the setback in terms of noise and odors. In addition, we anticipate that most animal conflicts will occur along shared fences where goats and other pets would have regular close contact. An alley or right-of-way would only have infrequent close contact between animals with an owner walking by and the other pet on a leash.
The second clarification provides specific criteria for an existing structure to meet in order to be used as a goat shelter if the structure is located closer than ten (10) feet to a side or rear property line. If the structure has a wall height of at least eight (8) feet and a roof overhang of at least one (1) foot, we believe this will be a deterrent for a goat to access the roof of the structure and potentially jump from the roof to a neighboring property. Additionally, a barrier would need to be installed that prevents the goats from damaging the structure and accessing a neighboring property. The barrier would be required along any wall that is closer than the ten foot setback to a shared property line.
All other provisions of the ordinance that were approved at first reading remain unchanged. The staff report and presentation from the first reading are attached for your reference.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff is recommending approval of the proposed amendments to the Brighton Municipal Code with clarifications as set forth in the revised draft Ordinance.
OPTIONS FOR COUNCIL CONSIDERATION
The City Council has five options when reviewing this Ordinance. City Council may:
1. Approve the Ordinance in the form approved at first reading;
2. Approve the Ordinance as recommended in the revised draft Ordinance;
3. Approve the Ordinance with specific changes;
4. Deny the Ordinance as drafted; or
5. Continue the item to be heard at a later, specified date.
ATTACHMENTS
● Revised Draft Ordinance
● Draft 2nd Reading City Staff Presentation
● Ordinance Approved at First Reading
● First Reading City Staff Report
● First Reading City Staff Presentation