Shoreview denies text amendment for keeping of raptors
Posted on 18. Feb, 2010 by Chris Dohman in City Council, Meeting, People
Photo courtesy of Mark Maloney
Shoreview resident Linda Baschky is trying to get the Shoreview municipal code amended so she can keep a red-tailed hawk at her residence. Her first attempt to get the code amended to allow this was denied in a unanimous vote Monday night at the Shoreview City Council meeting.
Baschky, a federal and state licensed falconer, along with the help of her insurance agent, consulting insurance underwriters, and Minnesota Falconers Association members wrote up the proposed edits to the municipal code which the city council voted on. Baschky also used the City of Roseville ordinances as a reference because Roseville does allow falconry and the keeping of raptors in their city.
What is Falconry? Falconry is hunting wild animals in a natural environment with a trained bird of prey. Falconers capture or purchase raptors and they train them for these hunts much as one would train their dogs to assist in hunting.
Key changes Baschky was submitting in her amendment which would allow her to house a red-tailed hawk were:
- the elimination a 2 acre minimum for the keeping of non-domesticated animals in a residential district.
- adding standards for raptor housing facilities
- require a Wild Animal License for falconers
- address definitions of ‘farm animals’ and ‘wild animals’ and how they are used in the code
Shoreview city staff sent out a letter to neighbors of Baschkey announcing a public hearing on the proposed amendment and request for feedback. At the public hearing Frank Taylor (a Master Falconer), Brad Johnson (DNR Conservation Officer), and Lori Naumann (former DNR Falconry Program permitting staff member) testified giving explaining the sport of falconry, raptors, and their behaviors. Several neighbors also testified raising concerns and objections to the keeping of raptors in their neighborhood. Neighboring residents also submitted seven letters of objection and concern back to the city over the proposal. Neighbor concerns over the possible keeping of raptors include:
- wild animals should be free
- disturbances / nuisance
- property values
- screeching noise
- air quality, odor & food items for the raptors
- damage from the birds
- safety of children & pets
Shoreview staff reviewed the proposal and recommended to the City Council that Baschky’s text amendment should be denied based on the following findings.
- The proposed amendment does not fully address the number of wild animals permitted
- The proposed amendment does not fully address locations of shelters for the animals
- The proposed definitions do not meet the intent of the Development Code
The Minnesota DNR indicates there are currently about 150 active falconry permits in the state and about 35 of those are in urban and suburban municipalities including St. Paul, Roseville, Bloomington, White Bear Lake, North St. Paul, Oakdale, Stillwater, and Circle Pines.
This issue will not go away after Monday night’s vote though. The council members were very curious about the keeping of raptors and could not pin down any dangers or concerns that were much different than someone having a dog in their yard, but there are many unknowns about raptors for most people including the city council members and Baschky’s neighbors. The city council wants to do it’s homework on this one including how this type of amendment will affect future falconers, residents and neighborhoods when the next applicant comes into play.
After discussions and testimony at Monday’s meeting by Linda Baschky and Master Falconer Frank Taylor, Taylor brought a live red-tailed hawk into the council chambers. This live visual may prove to a be key move that gets her an amendment to house her raptor. Most of the council and people in attendance seemed fascinated by the red-tailed hawk and seeing it up close. Taylor was able to demonstrate how reserved and safe these hawks seem around people. Another factor which may or may not come into play was that none of the objecting neighbors were present for the council meeting, at least none that spoke up. One can only wonder if they would have felt any different when seeing the hawk up close.
How would you feel if your neighbor housed a couple red-tailed hawks in their back yard? Would you have concerns?
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