Council Preview: Backyard Chicken Ordinance Coming to Eagan?

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The Eagan City Council will convene at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday night at to hold a special council meeting. Here's a preview of a selection of agenda items the council is expected to discuss. For a full agenda, click here.

• Earlier this summer, the Eagan City Council received a request from a group of city residents to consider an ordinance amendment that would allow backyard chickens within city limits. After receiving the request, city staff reviewed backyard chicken ordinances used by 17 other cities in Minnesota, noting in their findings that cities with such ordinances typically received few complaints regarding chickens. On Tuesday, the council is expected to discuss the benefits and drawbacks of allowing backyard chickens in Eagan, and consider whether the city should issue permits for chickens, how inspections would be conducted and what kind of screening or fencing would be required for chicken coops, among other questions.

• The Eagan City Council is also expected to hold a joint meeting on Tuesday night with the Eagan Energy and the Environment Commission. On tap for the discussion? The commission's proposed work plan and goals for 2012-2013. The commissions goals include recommending the elimination of coal tar sealant within the city, developing initiatives to increase active living infrastructure in the city and supporting renewable energy by reviewing and recommending changes to city ordinances.