tabber2Overview The City of Alameda has commenced a community process to help determine what updates should be made to the City’s codes regulating animals, specifically animals other than dogs and cats. Currently, the City’s outdated codes are not meeting contemporary community needs. For example, it may be possible for you to keep a donkey in your yard. Backyard Farm Animal Draft Proposal Details COMMUNITY PROCESS Working with the community, including residents who currently keep chickens, bees, pigs, and goats, the City developed an initial outline for the ordinance. The recommendation amends the City’s current codes in order to create a balance between what works for the animals and what is appropriate for a predominantly residential community.On April 25th, the City held a well-attended public workshop to gather input, discuss possible recommendations and receive feedback. There was, as expected, lively discussion and debate at that meeting. A very good summary of the meeting’s key issues can be read at Blogging Bayport. We are piloting a new outreach program at Neighboring.com, a new virtual town hall space created by an Alameda resident. Our community can join the conversation in a safe, verified space at http://www.neighboring.com. A summary of these discussions, and all other written submissions, will be presented as part of the formal report. NEXT STEPS City staff will now take the proposal and key issues raised at the community meeting and conduct further research, discuss potential impacts with the Alameda County Vector Control, the Animal Shelter, our Animal Control Officers, our Code Inspectors, and the City Attorney’s Office, and then draft the proposed ordinance updates for the Planning Board’s consideration, hopefully in July. The DRAFT ordinance updates will be published for public review prior to going to the Planning Board.The Planning Board will hold its public hearing about the proposal and make a recommendation to the City Council. The City Council will then hold two public hearings in the fall to decide what the ordinance updates will be. Community Process OverviewBackyard Farm Animal Draft Proposal Schedule First Community Meeting: April 256:30 p.m.Regina K. Stafford Community RoomMain Library1550 Oak StreetAlameda, CA 94501 On April 25th, the City held a well-attended public workshop to gather input, discuss possible recommendations and receive feedback. There was, as expected, lively discussion and debate at that meeting. A very good summary of the meeting’s key issues can be read at Blogging Bayport. Town Hall We are piloting a new outreach program at Neighboring.com, a new virtual town hall space created by an Alameda resident. Community members can join the conversation in a safe, verified space at http://www.neighboring.com.
