HomeMy Public PortalAboutMinutes_Planning & Zoning Meeting_12142022PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION MEETING
IONA CITY HALL
DECEMBER 14, 2022 -6:30 P.M.
PRESENT: Chairman James West, Member Ray Hart, Member Jason Cooper, Member Bill
Koester, Member Clint Reading and City Clerk/Treasurer Keri West.
ABSENT: None.
VISITORS: None.
Chairman West led with the Pledge of Allegiance and welcomed everyone. A roll call was taken
by Clerk West to open the meeting.
CONSENT AGENDA: Chairman West entertained a motion . Member Hart made a motion to
approve the minutes from November 9, 2022 . Member Koester seconded the motion. All in
favor. Motion carried .
PUBLIC COMMENT: None.
ITEMS OF BUSINESS:
Oath of Appointment of Clint Reading to Planning & Zoning Commission -Clerk West
swore-in Clint Reading as the newest Member of the Planning & Zoning Commission .
Member Reading took his seat on the stand .
Oath of Reappointment of Ray Hart to Planning & Zoning Commission -Clerk West
swore-in Ray Hart as a reappointed Member of the Planning & Zoning Commission.
Approval of 2023 Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting Dates -All Commission
Members reviewed the proposed 2023 dates for Planning & Zoning Commission Meetings and
determined all dates as acceptable .
Chairman West entertained a motion. Member Hart made a motion to approve the 2023 Planning
& Zoning Commission Meeting dates. Member Koester seconded the motion. All in favor.
Motion carried.
Discussion of Iona City Code 11-4-2(B) pertaining to "Permitted domestic farm animals" in
the R-1 Zone -Clerk West explained the City received a complaint from a resident regarding
their neighbor's goats . Deputy Randall had stated the City Code does not specify whether goats
are permitted or prohibited in the R-1 Zone and requested this be a topic of discussion for the
P&Z and the City Council to determine if goats should be included on either list. Clerk West
clarified this discussion is only for the R-1 Zone (Single Family Residential).
Chairman West hesitated listing every farm animal in the City Code and designating whether
they are permitted or prohibited. Member Hart stated the City should be able to review those on a
case by case basis . Member Koester mentioned the idea of regulating farm animals based on
weight. Chairman West stated he recognizes this discussion is taking place to assist in
PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION MEETING -DECEMBER 14 2022
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enforcement efforts. Clerk West agreed and stated the City Code does specify certain animals as
not allowed, such as pigs. It also lists other animals that are allowed based on the size of the
property, such as cows, horses and sheep. Member Hart stated this is a difficult discussion
because some people have pigs as pets and some "farm animals" can be considered comfort
animals and cannot be restricted. Clerk West explained that situation would be handled in a
different manner and reiterated this discussion is strictly for the overall R-1 Zone.
Member Hart expressed confusion on the minimum lot size requirements for farm animals listed
in Iona City Code§ 11-4-2(B):
"(1) No livestock or domestic farm animals may be kept on lots ofless than one (1) acre in total
area.
(2) Only one (1) animal unit per one-half (1/2) acre or greater shall be allowed. One (1) animal
unit shall represent:
(a) Cow-1
(b) Horse - 1
(c) Sheep -5"
Member Reading explained that residents in the R-1 Zone are required to have a minimum of
one acre before they can have any farm animals, but if they have over one acre the number of
animals allowed is based on each ½ acre they have total. He continued and stated if they have
one acre they would then be allowed to have 2 cows or 2 horses, etc. Clerk West agreed.
Member Hart stated he does not want to micromanage this part of the City Code and would like
to find a way for the City to regulate on a case by case basis. Clerk West stated from an
administrative perspective, it is helpful to have some regulations that are easily conveyed and
enforced otherwise it becomes very subjective and can appear bias. Member Cooper agreed.
Member Hart stated if someone has goats that are not causing problems, they should not be
restricted. Member Reading agreed and asked if there was another section of the City Code that
regulates nuisances that could be used to enforce against certain animals that are causing issues.
Clerk West stated there is a Nuisance Ordinance. Chairman West read Iona City Code § 5-8-1:
"PUBLIC NUISANCE DEFINED. Anything which is injurious to health, or is indecent, or
offensive to the senses, or obstructs the free use of property, interferes with the comfortable
enjoyment of life or property by an entire community or neighborhood, or by any substantial
number of persons, or unlawfully obstructs the free passage or use, in the customary manner, of
any navigable lake, river, stream, canal or basin, or any public park, square, street, or highway, is
a public nuisance ."
Chairman West also stated the nuisance as defined is punishable as a misdemeanor. He
continued and stated he thinks this could be used to enforce the farm animal issue. All
Commission Members agreed to not amend this section of the Code and instead recommended
the Nuisance ordinance be reviewed and possibly amended to help law enforcement regulate
unruly farm animals not specified in the Code.
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PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION MEETING -DECEMBER 14 , 2022
Chairman West entertained a motion. Member Hart made a motion to adjourn. Member Cooper
seconded the motion. All in favor.
Meeting Adjourned at 6 :53 p.m .
COMMISSION APPROVED: March 8, 2023
ATTEST: ~al,A,L....Cw=--.:....'---;,()<--->,.,,<)~~--
Keri West , City Clerk/Treasurer
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