TO: Chair and Members of the Planning Commission
THRU: Anna Pehoushek, Assistant Community Development Director
FROM: Chad Ortlieb, Principal Planner
1. SUBJECT
title
Public Hearing to consider an update to Title 17 of the Orange Municipal Code (OMC) to amend provisions relating to number of chickens allowed on residential properties and setback requirements; and finding of CEQA exemption.
body
2. SUMMARY
The City proposes changes to update Title 17 to amend certain provisions of the OMC to increase the number of chickens allowed on residential properties, adjust coop setback requirements from property lines to structures used for human habitation, and remove the combining limit of dogs and cats with small animals such as poultry. These amendments are proposed in order to enhance Code clarity, enforcement, and flexibility while maintaining neighborhood compatibility.
3. RECOMMENDED ACTION
recommendation
1. Conduct the Public Hearing.
2. Adopt Planning Commission Resolution No. PC 03-25 recommending that the City Council adopt an Ordinance amending Title 17 of the Orange Municipal Code to update the number of chickens permitted on residential properties and setback requirements.
3. Find the ordinance categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) per State CEQA Guidelines Sections 15061(b)(3) and 15378.
end
4. AUTHORIZING GUIDELINES
Orange Municipal Code (OMC) Section 17.08.020 authorizes the Planning Commission to review and make advisory recommendations to the City Council on Zoning Ordinance Amendments.
5. PROJECT BACKGROUND
The City's current chicken keeping regulations were established to balance urban agriculture with residential land use. Based on staff interaction during Code Enforcement investigations and what has become an established popular animal keeping practice in typical single-family neighborhoods, there is a need to refresh City standards to reflect "real world" conditions that have proven to func...
Click here for full text