Shoreline City Council Meeting July 15, 2013

Devon Vose Rickabaugh
Photo by Jerry Pickard

Shoreline City Council Meeting
July 15, 2013

By Devon Vose Rickabaugh

The City Council heard from several members of the public regarding the noise roosters make in a neighborhood. A family who owns several roosters spoke on behalf of urban farming. One of their children cried when talking about their roosters as pets and members of their family. Also they said they were using a sound proof box to cut out the rooster crowing during the night.

Two neighbors who work long hours and different shifts said the roosters disrupt their sleep and that they are not appropriated in an urban environment. Council members were sympathetic to the boy with the pet roosters, but most wanted some sort of ordinance to control the noise they make. Councilmember Winstead said, “Sleep is important but I’m not in favor of an all out ban”.  Councilmember Eggen said a “noise ordinance is not the solution. It’s hard to prove a nuisance.” Councilmember Salomon said he is concerned about the noise, but “could not support a moratorium on roosters”. The council directed city staff to come back with more information about how to handle the rooster situation. “How effective are these black boxes?” Councilmember Eggen wanted to know. Mayor McGlashan said he tends to be on the side of banning roosters, but wants staff to find out how other cities are handling the rooster question.

The Council adopted two ordinances. One to reduce the length of the terms youth would need to serve on the Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services Board and the Library Board from two to one year to attract more youth applicants. Several council members said how valuable the youth input has been on these boards.

The other ordinance 665 was passed to accurately reflect the changes adopted by Ordinance No. 621 which changed the review authority for all quasi- judicial hearings from the Planning Commission to the Hearing Examiner. In addition to corrections related to Ordinance No. 621, staff has “noted a few other minor amendments that will update this section and add clarity.”

Prior to the City Council Meeting the Council held an Executive Session.