City leaders discuss livestock, fireworks, tiny homes
Purdy city officials are rethinking a number of ordinances that will suit the community better.
First, local leaders are taking a close look at its livestock ordinance, which currently allows cattle operations only on property that was used for livestock before the city passed its current ordinance.
The Purdy City Council elected to review the livestock ordinance following reports of a resident raising sheep within the city limits, but not on one of the city’s properties that are exempt from the current ordinance.
“We had a lawyer take a look at the animal ordinance and he had some questions about enforcement,” said Mayor Brian Bowers. “He said if we’re going to have an ordinance, we should enforce it.”
With the city preparing to begin enforcement of its livestock ordinance, the board elected to make some updates to ensure that the laws it will be enforcing make sense for the community.
Alderwoman Heather VanNote suggested the city livestock ordinance to permit up to 15 chickens, up from the current ordinance’s six chickens.
She also said the ordinance should allow cattle on property within the city, as long as it borders the city limits. She suggested that all livestock within the city needs to be permitted and approved by the city council, and should be limited to one cow per acre of land.
She also suggested that a permit for cattle should cost $50.
“The permitting process is to get them in here so we know what they’re doing,” VanNote said.
The draft ordinance also provides for a fine of between $500 and $1,000 for a violation, and also gives residents a minimum of 30 days to relocate the animals if they are notified they are in violation of the ordinance.
A draft ordinance has been sent to the city attorney for review and will be presented to the city council at the April meeting for review and consideration of final approval by the council.
The city also renewed a discussion about fireworks on Independence Day weekend.
Initially, the council began the conversation about updating its fireworks ordinance following last year’s Independence Day celebration at the Gathering Place in Purdy, with residents expressing concerns that event-goers setting off aerial fireworks in proximity to the large fireworks display prior to the show at sundown, and in proximity to the fireworks booth set up at the Gathering Place.
The council proposed an update of the ordinance that would prohibit the use of fireworks within 1,500 feet of the Purdy basketball courts until 8 p.m.
VanNote said this would give community members and visitors who attend the event an opportunity to enjoy their own legal fireworks during the event, but give event organizers adequate time to set up the professional display at the basketball courts without the threat of aerial fireworks igniting the display prematurely.
Again, this ordinance will be reviewed by an attorney, and returned to the council at a later date for final review, possible amendments and possible approval.
Finally, the council discussed a new ordinance that would regulate the placement of “tiny houses” within the city limits.
First, the council defined a tiny house as a dwelling between 225 and 400 square feet. The new ordinance, as proposed, would require the tiny house to be placed on a permanent foundation, include water, electric and sewer or septic hookups, and have a composite roof.
VanNote said the goal of the ordinance is to ensure that community members do not pack tiny homes onto a small property to create high-density rentals within the city limits.
The council’s proposed ordinance would limit tiny homes to one or two units per city lot.
The draft ordinance will be presented to the council following review from the city attorney. At that time, the council can elect to approve, deny or amend the ordinance.
