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Planning Commission <br />March 27, 2018 <br />Page 7 <br />Acting Chair Larson -Vito agreed, stating with a lot larger than one acre in size, you'll <br />decrease the chance of people passing through. <br />Mr. Carlton stated the concern for fencing the smaller lots came from the Police <br />Department's comments after review of the proposed ordinance amendments and <br />concerns for public safety responders. He indicated that requirement could be <br />removed. <br />Commissioner Thiel indicated he doesn't support the ordinance and felt it was too <br />many bees concentrated for lot sizes smaller than 1 acre. He agrees with the public <br />safety concerns but overall doesn't support bees, or chickens for that matter, in an <br />urban area. <br />Mr. Carlton asked the Commission to consider having X amount of hives in a one - <br />mile area, and making beekeeping requests as a first-come, first-served basis. <br />Commissioner Thiel stated that would make him feel better than allowing multiple <br />properties in a small concentrated area. <br />Vice Chair Larson -Vito opened the public hearing. <br />Joseph Eder, 21268 York St. NW, explained his knowledge of bees and while not a <br />beekeeper yet he would like to become one. He suggested staff review each case <br />individually. He suggested education pieces be utilized to explain bees and their <br />habits should a request be made to keep bees and a neighbor expresses concerns <br />with allergies, etc. He commented that bees only leave the hive at certain times of the <br />day, not at night, and not when the temperature is below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. He <br />asked if during the application process would the applicant be able to educate the <br />neighbor <br />Mr. Carlton explained that the reason for the ordinance amendment would be to <br />remove the requirement for a CUP and have city staff administer approval for <br />beekeeping. He stated right now as the ordinance is written, there would not be a <br />time to discuss education. <br />Mr. Eiler stated on a larger lot, the latching fence requirement wouldn't matter. He <br />discussed diseases and said bees with mites won't cause a swarm, they'll just head to <br />a neighboring hive. He suggested adding wording about proper disease management <br />as a requirement to beekeepers following the ordinance. He thanked the Planning <br />Commission for reviewing and proposing changes to the ordinance. <br />There being no one else to speak, Acting Chair Larson -Vito closed the public <br />hearing. <br />Commissioner Rydberg suggested the size of land be changed to a 1 acre minimum. <br />Fnr1811 B1 <br />MATURE <br />